Scientists and mathematicians have tried to put units of measurement for almost everything from length and to volume of matter. These measurements physically quantify one thing from another. When you hear someone say “70 square meter of office space”, you will immediately recognize that the units refer to the floor area occupied by an office. The same thing holds true for a dozen of cupcakes. Referring to 12 cupcakes, a dozen is an important unit especially for stores selling their products in packages. However, you might wonder if it is possible to quantify abstract ideas let alone emotions like love. Can people really measure love? If so, what are the bases for this measurement?
When you think about it, love is a biologically complex emotion that is hard to quantify. Scientists have tried to explain its occurrence in an effort to improve understanding regarding love. With the use of MRI scans of the brain, a study has been conducted to measure the occurrence of this emotion in couples who are reportedly in love. It was found out that dopamine, a feel-good chemical is released mostly in the tegmental area of the brain for new couples. A surge of Oxytocin and Vasopressin are then experienced as couples share a more intimate contact. It was suggested by the study that love will usually last for only four years because afterwards, the aforementioned chemicals that are responsible for the feeling of being in love goes down to normal levels.
Setting scientific theories aside, there are online sites who have taken a fun twist to quantifying love. These sites offer a love meter to help people in love gauge their compatibility. An online love meter usually provides blank textboxes where you can input your name and your loved one. All you have to do is press the calculate button and wait for the results. The love percentage meter uses a formula based on the names that were typed in to predict compatibility and reports it in percentage. The higher the percentage, the more compatible the couple is. Sometimes the love calculator will include an explanation of the results. Getting a low percentage from the love meter does not necessarily means that couples cannot work out their differences.
The love meter provided online serves as an entertaining way of looking at possible love matches. This love meter application can give some excitement to young couples especially if they achieve a high rating. For women who have multiple suitors but is having a hard time deciding whom should she choose, a love compatibility test is a fun game to try. There is an online love meter that allows one to input multiple names of potential matches so that you can find out which name combination gives a high probability of having a good romantic relationship. However, one must keep in mind that the love meter applet is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken seriously.
It is not surprising though to find in advice columns a more reliable answer to questions regarding the signs that should indicate if a man really loves the woman he is dating. Rather than turn to a love meter that predicts compatibility with just names as a basis, looking out for your man’s gestures and facial expressions can help determine how serious he is with your relationship.
It is said that eye contact can reveal a person’s intentions. The body of humans after all is wired by nature for the fight or flight response. In case danger is perceived, the body kicks into action to get it ready for attack or escape. Changes include release of adrenaline, blood surge to limbs and muscles, and dilation of pupils. These responses are quite the opposite if you find a situation or person non-threatening. The same response is true whenever a person is interested in the opposite sex. It is said that the pupil of a man relaxes whenever he gazes upon the woman he loves. Whenever long periods of eye contact are shared between couples, it indicates contemplating the possibility of a long term relationship. Eye contact can also indicate if your partner is lying or telling the truth.
Perhaps the best love meter between couples is the actions done by each party. Sometimes a man says one thing but acts different from his statements. A woman can tell from the man’s action if he sincerely loves her. For instance, if he goes out of his usual ways like meeting and spending time with the woman’s family, this would indicate that he cares for the woman. Couples who are in love will have a lasting relationship if they learn to accept the strengths and weaknesses of each other.
It cannot be avoided if humans try to find a way to measure love. It may be for entertainment or scientific purposes but doing so is never easy. Overall, it is not the quantity that matters because this complex emotion will only work for people who love unconditionally.