Speaker
Description
Love, often regarded as an emotional experience, is increasingly recognized as a transformative force in shaping social cognition. This literature synthesis examines how emotionally secure, love-based environments reduce psychological threat, encourage exploratory behaviour, and promote cognitive flexibility in social contexts. Drawing on interdisciplinary research from cognitive psychology, developmental science, social neuroscience, and positive psychology, this review integrates findings on how the experience of being loved enhances curiosity, interpersonal engagement, and social risk-taking. A total of 43 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024 were analysed. Studies were included if they examined the cognitive, behavioural, or neurological impact of love, emotional safety, or secure attachment in relation to curiosity, exploration, or social learning. Studies purely focused on romantic attraction or lacking empirical grounding were excluded. The analysis reveals that emotional safety derived from love fosters an internal state of openness, diminishing fear-based cognition and activating neural and behavioural systems associated with learning, empathy, and exploration. Across developmental stages and relational settings, individuals who feel securely loved demonstrate greater willingness to engage with unfamiliar people, challenge existing beliefs, and adapt to new environments. These interactions suggest that love not only facilitates social bonding but also expands the individual’s capacity for cognitive growth and relational adaptability. This synthesis aligns with the conference theme by highlighting how emotionally meaningful interactions, rooted in love, sculpt cognitive development and social exploration in both humans and non-human animals, offering an enriched view of how curiosity emerges through connection.
Keywords: Love-based cognition, Emotional safety, Social exploration, Curiosity
