The Structure and Evolution of Love Science: A Comprehensive Review of Psychological Research on Love
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Psychological research on love has grown across personality, social, and affective science, yet the field remains conceptually fragmented. Using bibliometric mapping on 9,000 publications in the field, this review charts the development and present organization of love research from 1974 to 2022, identifying its central themes and evolving directions. Although historically grounded in attachment and romantic relationship theories, contemporary work now encompasses compassion, positive emotions, identity, neuroscience, and cultural perspectives. Despite this breadth, theoretical integration remains limited. To address this, we introduce the Ecosystem of Love Science framework—a meta-theoretical model that conceptualizes love as a dynamic, interdependent system rooted in shared philosophical, biological, and cultural foundations. This framework outlines pathways for linking diverse forms and levels of love, providing a foundation for a more unified and interdisciplinary understanding of how love operates within human relationships and the broader social world.
