Long the domain of poets, artists, and philosophers, love is a fairly new topic in the world of scientific study. However, despite being late to party, science has provided some excellent insights into why romance makes us act the way we do. Indeed, these days, if you want to really know if you’re falling in love, science has the answers! Culled from neuroscience and behavioural psychology, here are seven actual, scientific signs you’re falling in love.
Disclaimer: In the 1950s and 1960s, falling in love was often understood as the first step toward marriage and family life. Romance was closely tied to stability and social approval, with love seen as the gateway to building a household. A woman who fell in love was expected to marry young, while a man was expected to provide and protect. These gender roles were rarely questioned, and most stories about love—from films to advertisements—reinforced the idea that a woman’s fulfillment came through being chosen by the right man.
