Debunking Love Myths: Does Research Support Popular Beliefs About Love?

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re taking a look at phrases about love that we always hear. Are they true or do we just say them because they sound cute and make sense?

Myth: Women fall in love faster than men.

Many people believe that women fall in love faster than men do. Women are usually more emotional, so this seems like a logical assumption. However, studies show that the opposite is true. In a study published in the Journal of Social Psychology, researchers found that men are more than three times more likely to say “I love you” first.

Myth: Love at first sight exists.

We always hear of couples saying “I just knew” or “I loved him the moment I saw him.” But does love at first sight really exist? True love – lasting love – takes time to build. Vulnerability and emotional intimacy aren’t immediate. However, the number of people who say they have experienced love at first sight is noteworthy.

Dr. Gwendolyn Seidman, psychology professor at Albright College, discussed a survey revealing that out of 100,000 adults, “48 percent of men claimed to have fallen in love at first sight, while only 28 percent of women made such a romantic claim.” 

Whether love or just a strong attraction/feeling exists at first sight, I don’t think we can definitively say. Some people have strong intuition right away, while others take their time to figure out their feelings; to each their own.

Myth: Women are more romantic than men.

Just like people tend to believe that women express their love earlier than men do, the popular belief is that women are more romantic than men. The Romantic Beliefs Scale is a test that asks people if they agree or disagree with romantic statements like, “There will only be one real love for me,” and “I expect that in my relationship, romantic love will really last. It will not fade with time.” The researchers who developed the test revealed that men, compared to women, scored higher, indicating that they have a more romantic view of love.

Myth: When it comes to attraction, women are more emotional, while men are more visual.

This sure seems to be true, but does the research back this up? Do men really care more about looks than women do? 

A study discussed on Psychology Today asked men and women to rank 16 characteristics they desire most in a prospective partner. The researchers reported, “Men ranked looks, on average, as the fourth most important trait; women ranked it about sixth.” This study revealed that both genders value physical appearance in a potential partner, but men value it slightly more.

As it turns out, some myths are supported by research and others are not. At the end of the day, every relationship is unique and there is no “formula” to finding or keeping lasting love. If you’re in a relationship this Valentine’s Day, good for you. And if you’re celebrating by yourself or with friends, good for you. 

Results from Instagram Poll:

Who falls in love faster?

• Men - 50%

• Women - 50%

Does love at first sight exist?

• Yes - 53%

• No - 47%

Who are more romantic?

• Men - 36%

• Women - 64%

When it comes to attraction, women are more emotional, while men are more visual.

• True - 82%

• False - 18%

Hannah Dreweick is a junor business

administration and communication

major from Stoughton, Wis.