Bulacan State University
Guinhawa, Malolos City, Bulacan
The Impact of Love on Happy Hormones Among the
Young Adults of Bulacan State University
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject Biological Psychology
Submitted by:
Balungcas, Pamela Rose L.
Dabu, James Patrick R.
Galang, Anne Jhasmine G.
Llacer, Hannah Marie B.
Oczon, Piel Joy B.
Santos, Daniella Jenine R.
Yap, Jose Andrew M.
December 2022
INTRODUCTION
Love is a phenomenon that all human beings will eventually experience as they live. It
manifests in many forms as warm feelings towards family, child, spouse, pets, or friends
(Tamam & Ahmad, 2019). Furthermore, love has become an important topic throughout history
(Ferreira et al., 2018) and inspired various kinds of artistic expression in humankind (De Boer et
al., 2012). Although it has long been studied, love remains an abstract concept associated with
the feeling of deep affection towards someone. Is this a mere feeling, or is there a more profound
chemical force behind it?
In terms of love styles, the love towards another individual that causes strong affection
and attraction is called romantic love (Acevedo et al., 2017). Eros or romantic love, is the love
style that is the most common depiction of love in media (De Jong & Collins, 2017). Wherein,
the love is based on passion, physical and inner attraction towards their special someone is the
main driving force (Raffagnino & Pudu, 2018). In alignment with that, recent studies involving
love had aimed to clarify the present connection between chemicals and love (Magon & Kalra,
2011). The hormone oxytocin and the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and endorphins are
generally the four chemicals associated with love (Franza & Cevone, 2014). These chemicals are
often grouped and generally considered by most as “happy hormones” (Ferreira et al., 2018).
Hormones, produced in the endocrine system (Toler, 2019; Mandal, 2019) are secreted
into the bloodstream, which then regulates our body's processes by sending messages to different
body parts (Mandal, 2019; Raypole, 2019; Medline Plus, 2019). Although these chemical
messengers flow throughout our system, they only affect specific cells with a corresponding
receptor site. With that, it is kind of a key-and-lock mechanism. An effect will arise if the
hormone fits the receptor site. However, there won't be any response if the hormones and
receptor sites do not match up (National Institutes of Health, 2019). Once the hormones reach
their target cell, they influence it by altering cellular activity; a small amount of hormone may
result in a massive change in the body (Medline Plus, 2019). Neurotransmitters, on the other
hand, are chemical substances released to a synaptic gap, capable of transmitting signals from a
neuron to a target cell. Unlike hormones that are produced in the endocrine system,
neurotransmitters are created in the nervous system and usually take milliseconds to form a
response. Hence the site of their release and site of action is the thin line that distinguishes
hormones and neurotransmitters (Panawala, 2017).
These chemicals influence an individual's mood and social behavior (Magon & Kalra,
2011). Including, and not limited to, emotions, affection, and specifically, love (Elsayed et al.,
2022). Since several studies have already established concrete evidence that happy hormones
affect love, this paper aims to determine the extent to which the feeling of being in love affects
an individual's level of happy hormones. In addition, the researchers would like to investigate it
with young adults, for studies have shown that during the age of 20-22, individuals have more
opportunities to engage in more serious relationships of their own choosing (Tillman et al.,
2019).
THEORETICAL AND LITERATURE SUPPORT
The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between stimulus, love, and
happy hormones. As a result, the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model theory is
employed. This theory was proposed by Albert Mehrabian and James A. Russel in 1974.
According to the theory, environmental stimuli influence an individual's internal state (Kishor,
2020). A specific stimulus will work in order to elicit the desired response from the organism.
The organism, as the center and channel of this phenomenon, will receive the stimulus and
respond to it. In this study, the IV (love or feelings of love) is the stimulus. The stimulus will be
received by the respondents, who are the organism. The expected response are the changes in
levels of happy hormones that the researchers are anticipating.
Love and Happy Hormones
Despite being neglected in the past by experimental sciences, emotions and feelings have
become the focus in neuroscientific research, particularly the most typical human feeling, love.
On the other hand, dopamine, oxytocin, endorphin, and serotonin are happy chemicals that burst
out when triggered by what we perceive as something that makes us happy (Breuning, 2012).
Several concepts have been associated with happy hormones and the most recent and popular
concept that researchers try to connect with happy hormones is love. A number of studies have
found a link between love and happy hormones like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and
endorphin.
In a study about neurochemistry of love, Tamam & Ahmad (2019) have found out that
people who claim that they are in love release neurotransmitters, especially the happy hormones
and other chemicals related to euphoric sensations. Romantic couples have higher levels of
dopamine and oxytocin that are closely related to pleasure (de Boer et al., 2012; Tamam &
Ahmad, 2019; Field et al., 2016 & Takahashi et al., 2015) and attachment (Tamam & Ahmad,
2019 & Perrotta, 2020) which are the common aspects of love. The activation of dopamine will
also lead for serotonin levels to drop and activate the brain's pleasure centre which is responsible
for the madness and obsessive aspect of love (Tamam & Ahmad, 2019; Aleksidze, 2018 &
Langeslag et al., 2012). The constant feeling of euphoria that people experience when in love is
attributed to endorphins. People with high levels of endorphins feel less pain and fewer negative
effects of stress (Tamam & Ahmad, 2019; Khajehei et al., 2018; Chadha, 2019 & Barymova,
2022).
Love and Dopamine
Another happy hormone is dopamine. As previously stated, oxytocin influences the
release of other feel-good hormones, one of which is dopamine. Oxytocin and vasopressin
stimulate dopamine release by interacting with the dopamine reward system. People perceive this
brain activity as a reward, making love have the same euphoric feeling as a sense of
accomplishment (de Boer et al., 2012 & Takahashi et al., 2015). Similarly, de Boer et al. (2012)
stated that the dopaminergic pathways involved in love and pair-bond formation were largely
similar to those involved in addiction, resulting in a vague similarity of feelings in love and
addiction.
In an experiment conducted by Field et al. (2016), people with romantic partners were
shown facial photos of their romantic partners, highly familiar acquaintances, close long-term
friends, and a less familiar person. Then using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI),
their dopamine levels were observed. Results showed that dopamine's reward system activated
when each photo was shown but with different levels—the photo of their partner being the
highest. This suggested that dopaminergic reward pathways contribute to the arousal of the
components of romantic love.
Love and Oxytocin
Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, is linked to reproduction, particularly sexual
behavior. The presence of oxytocin during sex increases pleasure. Because oxytocin is released
through physical touch, people perceive this as feelings of closeness (Perrotta, 2020). This
phenomenon results in people mistaking the release of oxytocin as the feeling of being in love.
Despite the possibility of being an illusioned feeling, oxytocin is still believed to be
associated with love as Carter (2022), argued that oxytocin helps regulate emotional states
including love. It acts on target tissues and neuroendocrine pathways, affecting the release of
other feel-good hormones. Furthermore, love, in Science, is described as selective behavior and
attachments and oxytocin is a component of the biological system that secures attachment by
releasing feelings of pleasure through physical contact.
Love and Serotonin
Unlike other hormones that increase when one is in love, serotonin levels decrease (de
Boer et al., 2012; Aleksidze, 2018 & Langeslag et al., 2012). This is because serotonin has an
inverse relationship with corticosteroids. Furthermore, low serotonin levels have been linked to
some psychiatric disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). According to
Langeslag et al. (2012), men and women's serotonin levels differ when they are in love. Women
have higher levels when they are in love, whereas men have the opposite effect.
Additionally, serotonin is in charge of activating brain structures during sexual activities.
Serotonin is responsible for the fact that sex is enjoyable rather than painful (Aleksidze, 2018). It
is because serotonin improves the transmission of pleasant feelings during sex, overlapping the
pain that sex causes and creating a feeling of bliss associated with love.
Love and Endorphins
Literature suggests that endorphins may be involved in the regulation of sexual function
and love (Khajehei et al., 2018; Chadha, 2019 & Barymova, 2022). Like opiates, endorphins can
also calm anxiety, relieve pain, and reduce stress. They produce a general sense of well-being,
including feeling soothed, peaceful, and secure which people attribute to the belief that being
with the person we love calms us (Chadha, 2019). With the security and peace that endorphins
give, people with high levels of endorphins are most likely to experience less stress, enjoying a
happy relationship with their partner (Khajehei et al., 2018).
RESEARCH GAP
While all studies show a positive correlation between love and happy hormones, research
gaps among those studies still exist. Most available studies gathered their data through
experimental and observational studies using medical technologies such as fMRI. However, most
studies such as Khajehei et al. 2018, Takahashi et al. 2015, Hasin et al. 2017 & de Boer et al.
2012 used animals in their experimental research. These findings have not been supported by
research into human behavior. This entails a lack of association in humans since animals are
believed to be driven by pleasure rather than emotions that animals do not have. Nonetheless,
these findings have revealed a gap in the reliability and validity of human concepts.
Since the study found a gap in the previous research, the paper aims to explore the
connection between the variables in human perspective. While previous studies use animals as
the focus of their experiment, the paper aims to fill the gap by using 3rd year psychology
students of Bulacan State University as participants to know if love can predict the level of their
happy hormones.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual framework of the study shows the procedural measurement of the two
variables in an experimental design. The Independent variable (Love) will measure whether it
will have an impact on certain happy hormones as the arrow demonstrated. While the study
manipulated the independent variable, the level of happy hormones will be quantified and
properly documented. As the experiment suggests, the extraneous variable is inevitable however
controllable. With this, the researchers have certainty of managing the factors that might affect
the study. Furthermore, the study will take place in a regulated experimental laboratory to reach
the validity and reliability of the study.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The study aims to determine if love can predict the level of happy hormones in the
participants. Love will be in general form, other subtypes and/or kinds will not be included in the
study. However, the four kinds of happy hormones will be covered, and measured individually,
and in groups.
●
Can love positively predict the level of dopamine in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University?
●
Can love positively predict the level of oxytocin in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University?
●
Can love positively predict the level of serotonin in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University?
●
Can love positively predict the level of endorphin in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University?
●
Can love positively predict the level of happy hormones in general in the 2nd year
psychology students of Bulacan State University?
HYPOTHESIS
Applying the statement of the problem, the following hypothesis was made specifically
for this study. The researchers used a two-tailed hypothesis to predict the attitude of the
Independent and Dependent Variables:
●
Love positively predicts the level of dopamine in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University.
●
Love positively predicts the level of oxytocin in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University.
●
Love positively predicts the level of serotonin in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University.
●
Love positively predicts the level of endorphin in the 2nd year psychology students of
Bulacan State University.
●
Love positively predicts the level of happy hormones in general in the 2nd year
psychology students of Bulacan State University.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
This study is to focus on determining the effect of love on happy hormones. To be more
specific, the study included the four kinds of happy hormones: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin,
and Endorphins. Moreover, the study encompasses Positive Psychology and covers one of its
components, Love.
Furthermore, given that the study is quantitative in nature, it will focus on using the
experimental method to have a valid and reliable result and justification of the causality.
Measurement of Romantic Love will be used to measure the extent of the variables.
The study is delimited on being quasi-experimental as a design of quantitative research.
The use of simple random sampling is limited to the 3rd year students of Bulacan State
University–Main Campus. Further, the data-gathering process is delimited by utilizing a
questionnaire with 9 point-Likert scales. Through this, the researchers are certain to get the
validity and reliability of the result.
According to the study of Primasari & Yuniarti (2012), the subject matter of this study is
restricted to the age group of adolescents and young adults, as teenagers’ happiness can be rooted
to love being the factor that they adore and are adored by. The study is also demarcated to love as
a facet of Positive Psychology yet barely touches other facets to widely explain the focus of the
study.
The objective of the study is to determine the impact of love on happy hormones.
Relationships and causality will be both included and limited to these two. Moreover, the
researchers are delineated to only evaluate the variables and control the possible extraneous
variables. Yet, the study will provide real-world causal explanations and can help predict the
unexplained impact of the selected variables.
The instrument tools of measurement are limited to measuring the state of “being in
love” of the participants. The procedural method to assess the level of happy hormones will be
conducted in the laboratory. Limitations will guide the whole experiment.
To get the true value of the result, choosing the appropriate duration of the study has a
factor. Therefore, the study will run on February 14, 2023, and only to the said date.
METHOD
Research Design
This
study
will utilize
a quantitative-quasi-experimental design,
specifically,
nonequivalent group design to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between an independent
and dependent variable.
Typically, quasi-experiments examine the long-term effects of therapies outside the
laboratory (Cook, 2015). Furthermore, a nonequivalent group design is applied to assess the
relative effects of treatments assigned to groups of participants nonrandomly (Reichardt, 2015).
Therefore, the gathered information on the relationship between the feeling of being-in-love and
the level of happy hormones of 3rd-year college students of Bulacan State University will make
the research study intelligible by utilizing the nonequivalent group design.
Participants
The non-probability sampling
technique, specifically purposive sampling and
non-random assignment, will be used in this study. A total of fifty (N=50) 3rd year college
students from Bulacan State University of Malolos, whose ages range from 20-22 years old, will
participate in this study. Participants’ demographic is based on the study of Hogan (2018) which
posits that romantic love is mostly evident in young adults for the reason that they have more
opportunity to engage in romantic relationships of their own choosing. Besides, regardless of
their gender, they will be selected according to the non-random criteria and will be divided into
two groups using the romantic love questionnaire; the in-love group (n=25) and not in-love group
(n=25). This sampling group will be given an informed consent form before the experiment.
Instruments
The researchers will administer a questionnaire from Rubin (1970) entitled Measurement
of Romantic Love to acquire data necessary to yield results from the investigations. The MRL
scale measures respondents' attitudes toward a particular person, mainly their initial
conceptualization of romantic love. It consists of 13 statements, such as "I would do almost
anything for ______", and "I would greatly enjoy being confided in by ______", answerable
through a 9-point Likert scale, where scaling is given as follows: Not at all true/ disagree
completely (1); definitely true/ agree completely (9).
Validity reveals whether an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure. It
implies that whatever scores are obtained from the instrument should enable the researcher to
draw conclusions from the sample of the population under investigation (Creswell, 2008). The
questionnaire designed for this study was subjected to a validation process for face validity. Face
validity has been defined by McBurney (1944) as the idea that a test should appear superficially
to test what it is supposed to test. Polit and Hungler (1993) define reliability as the degree of
consistency with which an instrument measures the attribute it is designed to measure. The
questionnaire, as used in the previous studies, was found to be reliable as it revealed consistency
in responses and is internally consistent with Cronbach's coefficient alpha value.
Procedures
The experiment will take place at Bulacan State University College of Social Science
Philosophy laboratory. Prior to the actual experiment, the researchers will be disseminating the
Measurement of Romantic Love questionnaire to the target population. The items of the MRL
assess the affective components of love and the attitudes a person holds about others.
With that, the participants will then be divided into two groups based on their scores from
the MRL: 1-77 = not in love, n=25; 78-117 = in love. This split is necessary to identify the
independent variable by having two categories: in love and not in love. For an accurate
dependent variable measurement, venous blood will be collected from the subjects which will
then be centrifuged and evaluated by biologists to see whether there is an increase in the
participant's level of happy hormones; serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphin.
On the actual day of the experiment, the procedure will be explained to the participant
upon their arrival at the laboratory. They will be informed that they could terminate participation
at any time and will sign an informed consent. The participant will be accompanied to a
chamber, where the phlebotomist will draw their blood. Following the blood extraction, the
participant was debriefed and dismissed.
Data Analysis Plan
The data to be collected will undergo analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Descriptive statistics will be used to determine the mean, standard deviation, and skewness of the
variable. For inferential statistics, an independent sample t-test will be used to compare the
means of two independent groups; those who are in love and those who are not. Afterward,
Cohen's d will be used to measure the effect size of the independent variable on the dependent
variable as well as testing of normality and homogeneity to see if the data did not violate the
assumptions necessary for an independent samples t-test.
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