The Neurophychology of Love

            South Texas College hosted a brilliant speaker that gave an extremely interesting talk on the neuropsychology of love. Dr. Paul Gonzalez was welcomed to a decently full auditorium on the evening of April 14, 2015. He presented a PowerPoint with his lecture of the different ideas of what love is and what different people believe it to be. The neuropsychology of love, presented by Dr. Gonzalez at South Texas College, is by far the most thought-provoking event I have attended. .
             Tuesday evening, Dr. Paul Gonzalez gave a speech over the neuropsychology of love. Dr. Gonzalez described the differences between love and sex in a relationship using definitions from previous philosophers, but first explained the evolution of love. Quoting Helen Fisher, "we are evolved to reproduce, not to be happy," Dr. Gonzalez pointed out the three different brain systems that are related to love. The first was lust, where the sex drive is located. Second is the romantic maturation, and third is attachment. Romantic maturation, however, comes with conditions. Next, Dr. Gonzalez went on to define love from Ancient Greek Philosophers. Plato says "that humans were originally created with two heads, four arms and legs. They were split in two and were condemned to search for the other for the rest of their lives" (Gonzalez). Although an old philosophy, Dr. Gonzalez did say that we as a people pick the one we will love by characteristics. To prove his point, he read off a long list of internet dating websites that allow one to literally pick out the characteristics that we want in our love. Dr. Gonzalez went on to describe the role of sex. He pointed out that sex is not the same as love, but it still is an important aspect of a love life. Then, Dr. Gonzalez ended his presentation with a couple questions from the audience. .
             Dr. Gonzalez's presentation on the neuropsychology of love was highly educational.