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Love and Addiction: The Importance of Commitment

Author

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  • Steven F. Koch

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria)

Abstract

The bilaterally monopolistic nature of relationships between part- ners, combined with the addictive nature of love, which represents the emotion people feel during the course of a relationship, results in love growth when re- lationships are based on commitment. However, in relationships with less than perfect commitment, love will wither, and potentially die. In this paper, the path of love through a relationship is examined under the assumption that love is addictive and that partners may or may not be able to commit to a relationship. The differences in the results suggest that cohabiting partners may, by their very lack of commitment at the outset, be unsuited to successful marriages.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven F. Koch, 2005. "Love and Addiction: The Importance of Commitment," Working Papers 200516, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:200516
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    File URL: http://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/61/WP/pp04.zp39541.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Addiction; Commitment;

    JEL classification:

    • D19 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Other
    • D99 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Other

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