According to contemporary theories of emotion, there is a growing belief that as love develops over time, which of the following is most likely to occur?

• A. Both passionate and companionate love decrease over time.
• B. Passionate love tends to decrease while companionate love increases.
• C. Passionate love remains constant while companionate love decreases.
• D. Companionate love decreases as passionate love increases.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the two main types of love described in contemporary theories: passionate love, which is intense and often characterized by physical attraction and emotional arousal, and companionate love, which is deeper, involving affection, trust, and commitment.
2. Recognize that psychological research suggests these two types of love change differently over time in long-term relationships.
3. Note that passionate love typically shows a decline as the initial excitement and novelty fade, which is a natural progression in many relationships.
4. Observe that companionate love tends to increase or strengthen over time as partners build deeper emotional bonds, trust, and shared experiences.
5. Conclude that the most supported theory is that passionate love decreases while companionate love increases as love develops over time.