Virtue and Attraction

Validation of a Measure of Love

Bibliographic Data

ID2923232
AuthorsVincent Jeffries (California State University, Northridge, corresponding author)
Year1993
Volume10
Issue1
Pages99-117
Publication date1993-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407593101007
OpenAlexW2107339205
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited19

This study presents data to validate a measure of love, the Virtue-Attraction Scale (VAS). Love is conceptualized as two basic dimensions: virtue and attraction. Virtue is love which is directed toward furthering the welfare of another, while attraction is love based upon gratifications which are received from the relationship. The study measures 712 subjects' self-reported love for their mothers and fathers (during their teenage years), and subjects' perceived love of their parents for them. Factor analyses indicate that virtue and attraction are separate dimensions of love. They are also related to parental support, the Davis-Todd Relationship Rating Form, self-esteem and faith in people in a theoretically consistent manner, show discriminant validity when related to need fulfillment, religiosity and altruism and criterion-related validity when related to parental divorce. Additional evidence of validity from previous studies is presented. A preliminary theory of love is considered and the relationship between virtue-attraction and passion is discussed

Altruism (biology · Attraction · Developmental psychology · Discriminant validity · Epistemology · Faith · Interpersonal attraction · Passion · Psychometrics · Religiosity · Virtue · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Emotions and Moral Behavior · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology

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