How does Dorothy Tennov define limerence?
How does Dorothy Tennov define limerence? People often misread her. Some common misconceptions are that Dorothy Tennov doesn't clearly define limerence in her material, or that she defines it as a simple synonym for being in love (including crushes, and so on). A careful examination of her material shows that she does clearly define it. The reason for the confusion has to do with the way that Tennov defines limerence through descriptions and comparisons, rather than semantics. She does this because she doesn't want to compare limerence directly to other terms, which she thinks could lead people to misunderstand her. By my definition, limerence is distinct. It is involuntary and its course depends largely on external circumstances (social barriers to a relationship and the behavior of LO). Limerent attraction is always for a potential sexual partner although its primary goal is reciprocation, not the sexual act, which is often more symbolic of mutuality than an end in it...