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Behnke, M., Kreibig, S.D., Kaczmarek, L.D., Assink, M. and Gross, J.J. (2022) Autonomic Nervous System Activity during Positive Emotions: A Meta-Analytic Review. Emotion Review, 14, 132-160.
https://doi.org/10.1177/17540739211073084

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Love is Soft and Heavy: Exploring the Concept of Love from a Sensory Perspective

  AUTHORS: Yifan Liao

  KEYWORDS: Love, Metaphor, Softness, Weight

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Access Library Journal, Vol.13 No.2, February 14, 2026

  ABSTRACT: Love is a mysterious concept. From the perspective of conceptual metaphor theory, the concrete experience of our bodies may contribute to the formation of the concept of love. The present research investigated the relation between perceptions of softness and weight and the concept of love. Study 1 was conducted at night and found that love was perceived as soft and heavy. Study 2 and Study 3 were conducted to contrast different wordings of love. Results showed that, in the morning, different wordings of love (love, romantic love, love between men and women) and opposite-sex friend’s love were perceived as soft. In the evening, females believed that love was softer than opposite-sex friend’s love; males’ perception of love and opposite-sex friend’s love were similar in terms of softness. The weight perception of love displayed changes from morning to evening. Possible explanations were discussed.