Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: For millennia, philosophers, theologians, academics, and laypersons have arguedthat love is action – that, regardless of feelings, love can exist through enactments withinthe physical world. It is unclear, however, the extent to which this belief exists within thecontemporary U.S., as well as whether manifestation of love beliefs matter within thecontext of loving relationships. We began our investigation by testing how love as actionbelief may shape reactions to positive and negative expectancy violations within romanticrelationships. Across two studies (N = 884), including an 11-day daily diary study, wedemonstrate that love as action belief exists on a spectrum. Our work also implies thatthose with a stronger love as action belief more readily communicate with their romanticpartner following expectancy violations. This body of work introduces a unique constructof love as action belief which has potential relevance for understanding a myriad ofinterpersonal dynamics.
DOI: 10.17615/ehd8-2545
Author: Hansen, Zoe
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7118300333
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