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Cited by 159Evolutionary Psychology and Human BehaviorNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAttachment and Relationship Dynamics

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 70 of the 70 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Lust, Attraction, Attachment: Biology and Evolution of the Three Primary Emotion Systems for Mating, Reproduction, and Parenting

Fisher, Helen·2000·Journal of Sex Education and Therapy
DOI 10.1080/01614576.2000.11074334
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Abstract

Humans and other mammals have evolved three primary emotion systems for mating, reproduction, and parenting: the sex drive, or lust, characterized by the craving for sexual gratification; attraction, characterized by increased energy and focused attention on one or more potential mates, accompanied in humans by exhilaration, intrusive thinking, and craving for emotional union; and attachment, characterized by close social contact and feelings of calm, comfort, and emotional union. Each emotion system is associated with a discrete constellation of brain circuits, and each evolved to direct a specific aspect of mating and reproduction. The psychophysiological properties of romantic attraction suggest that this emotion system is associated with increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine and decreased levels of serotonin in the brain; a study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is in progress to investigate the neural architecture of this primary emotion system. During the course of hominid evolution these three emotion systems became increasingly independent of one another, contributing to modern patterns of marriage, adultery, and divorce as well as to the worldwide incidence of stalking, homicide, suicide, and clinical depression associated with rejection in love.

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Crossref · 10.1080/01614576.2000.11074334

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70 of 70 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Citations

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Show all 69 references

Research works printed but not linked: 12

  1. Bowlby J., 1969, Attachment and loss: Attachment, 1
  2. Darwin C., 1859, The origin of species.
  3. Davies D. C., 1985, Behavioral Neuroscience, 99, 652, 10.1037/0735-7044.99.4.652 · DOI
  4. Fisher H. E., 1994, Journal of NIH Research, 6, 59
  5. Fisher H. E., 1995, Romantic pasion: A universal experience?, 23
  6. Lancaster J. B., 1994, Topics in primatology. Vol 1: Human origins, 21
  7. Lee T. H., 1988, The mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, 537, 324
  8. Liebowitz M. R., 1983, The chemistry of love.
  9. Mendoza S. P., 1997, The integrative neurobiology of affiliation, 807, 203
  10. Scatton B., 1988, The mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, 124
  11. Shaver P., 1988, The psychology of love., 68
  12. Sternberg R. J., 1988, The psychology of love.

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Metadata

Authors
Fisher, H.
Affiliations
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
Corresponding author
Fisher, Helen
ORCID
Fisher, Helen
Venue
Journal of Sex Education and Therapy
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2000-03
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
96-104
ISSN
0161-4576 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1080/01614576.2000.11074334
OpenAlex
W2270027172
Cited by
159
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Sex Education and Therapy (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
Keywords
lust, romantic attraction, attachment, mating behavior, reproduction, parenting, emotion systems, sexual desire, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, brain circuits, hominid evolution, major depressive disorder, marriage and divorce

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