Minutes

Røed, S. E., Nærland, R. K., Strat, M., Pallesen, S., & Erevik, E. K. (2024). Emophilia: Psychometric properties of the emotional promiscuity scale and its association with personality traits, unfaithfulness, and romantic relationships in a Scandinavian sample. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1265247

Why do some people keep falling hard and fast for love, even when it repeatedly hurts them?  Scandinavian researchers explored this phenomenon, called emophilia, the tendency to fall in love quickly and frequently, driven by the excitement of new romantic connections rather than a need for a partner. They wanted to understand if this pattern reflects a stable personality trait and how it shapes relationships. 

They had 2,500 Norwegian adults complete online questionnaires measuring emophilia, romantic impulsivity, attachment styles, and vulnerability to harmful partners. The goal? To understand why some people move rapidly into romantic bonds and why those bonds sometimes create risk.  

Results? People high in emophilia reported stronger urges to seek closeness, faster emotional involvement, and a greater likelihood of entering relationships that may not be safe or stable. Emophilia is also linked to lower relationship caution and higher chances of overlooking red flags early on.  

These findings highlight a pattern: when emotions speed ahead of judgment, people may place themselves in relationships that don’t serve their well-being. What does this mean? Falling fast isn’t just about romance. It’s a pattern.  Stop. Slow Down. Ask yourself: “Am I choosing a kind, loving partner, or chasing passion?” 

Written by Ian Harriman, Psych Undergrad