The appeal of inconstant love

[Alelou]

Maybe this explains why Trip keeps putting up with T'Pol:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/opini ... ef=general

[Distracted]

Of course. Variable reinforcement works! Why do you think comments are so darned addictive?

[Kotik]

It's still a very unhealthy type of love however. The unexpected 'rewards' might offset the frequent pain and disappointments, but it'll add up eventually and the results can be very undesirable. Ask someone, who ended up with depression and a 4 month stint in the loonie bin after years in such a 'relationship'.

[Alelou]

If it's bad for adults in romantic relationships, imagine how damaging it is for children from their parents.

And I totally agree with you about feedback, Distracted! Though even that hasn't had a motivating effect on me lately, I'm afraid.

[Distracted]

We all know inconstant love is bad for us in real life, and yet in fiction it seems to predominate. Could it be because inconstant love makes for interesting story lines while undying devotion is boring once it's achieved?

Hmmmm.... could be....

[Linda]

That seems to be it - predictable ANYTHING gets boring. But we get stressed out when things become unpredictable, especially lack of a predictable source of income because it impacts our access to food and shelter - basic life support. But basic life support solved, we do seem to enjoy angst followed by euphoria and recycled again and again. So that article seems logical to me. Just my two cents worth.