Towards A Psychological Understanding of Unconditional Love
Gayatri's doctoral thesis was recently finalised on this incredible topic spanning unconditional positive states such as joy and love and the impact they have on our lives and relationships
Religious, mystical and philosophical literature connects unconditional love to outcomes such as virtuous living, overcoming psychological pain, harmonious interpersonal relationships, wellbeing and happiness, the cultivation of peace between different nations and faiths, awakening and enlightenment, and even the self-transcendent experience of a unity that underlies all things.
Such amazing benefits! Yet so far, unconditional love has not received sufficient attention within psychological literature.
Psychology explores various types of love, including romantic love, maternal and parental love and the love between friends. Whilst all these forms are important to human relationships and wellbeing, they do not examine love outside of the finite context of specific relationships.
In contrast, unconditional love is referenced not only as a relational state, but also as a state of consciousness.
Other psychological constructs, such as those of compassion, self-compassion, forgiveness, loving kindness, unconditional positive regard, self-transcendence and awakening each reflect more abstract elements of unconditional love, yet none of them represent the concept in its entirety.
This PhD will be conducted with the aim of exploring the psychological characteristics and benefits of the state of unconditional love.
And if it's of interest, you can get involved!
