Care, need, and conceptions of love : a reexamination

Abstract

The present study examines the roles need and care play in such positive interpersonal attitudes as love, liking, attraction, and friendship, by both replicating and extending a 1982 study by Steck, Levitan, McLane, and Kelley. Subjects were presented with slightly revised Rubin Love Scales which were filled out as if by persons ~ involved in relationships, and were asked to judge how -much each hypothetical person loved, liked, was attracted to, and felt friendly toward their partner. In fact, the 2 love scales had been divided into three components, i.e. need, care, and trust, and were filled out with each component at a specific level. Nine patterns were devised using all possible combinations of high, medium, and low levels of care and need, and holding trust at a constant medium level.