A Preliminary Study of the Emotion of Love between the Sexes   By: Sanford Bell

In "A Preliminary Study of the Emotion of Love between the Sexes" by Sanford Bell, the author delves into a comprehensive examination of the complex emotion of love and the dynamics between individuals of different genders. Bell's research aims to provide readers with a preliminary understanding of the subject matter, serving as a strong foundation for further exploration.

One of the notable aspects of this book is its meticulous approach to the study. Bell presents a well-structured and logical argument, supported by a variety of research studies, historical examples, and personal anecdotes. This comprehensive approach ensures that readers are equipped with a broad perspective, allowing them to grasp the intricacies and nuances of intergender relationships.

Moreover, the author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it accessible to both academic and general readers alike. Bell includes a wealth of empirical evidence without overwhelming the reader with technical jargon or convoluted terminology. This makes the text highly relatable, facilitating a seamless connection between the reader and the subject matter.

The book also offers readers valuable insights into the societal and cultural implications of love between the sexes. Bell explores how historical gender roles, societal expectations, and cultural norms influence the development and expression of love. This exploration allows readers to gain a holistic understanding of love, transcending individual experiences and delving into wider social phenomena.

While the book provides a comprehensive analysis, it does have some limitations. Bell's preliminary study is constrained by its scope, which may leave readers desiring a deeper analysis of certain aspects. Furthermore, the author's personal viewpoints occasionally overshadow the objective presentation of information, potentially compromising the book's academic integrity.

Nonetheless, "A Preliminary Study of the Emotion of Love between the Sexes" is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of intergender relationships. Bell's extensive research, engaging writing style, and broad scope deliver a well-rounded exploration of the topic. This book lays a solid foundation for further investigation and reflection, ultimately inviting readers to contemplate the multifaceted nature of love itself.

First Page:

The emotion of love between the sexes has as yet received no thorough scientific treatment. No writer so far as I can find has treated it from a genetic standpoint. The literature upon the subject is therefore meager. In his recent treatise upon "The Psychology of the Emotions," Ribot[2] remarks: "The sex instinct, the last in chronological order with man and the higher animals, gives rise to the emotion of love with its numerous individual varieties. Most psychologists have been very sparing of details where it is concerned, and one might mention certain voluminous treatises which contain no mention of it. Is this through exaggerated delicacy? Or is it because the authors think that their place has been usurped by the novelists who have so obstinately confined themselves to the study of this passion? But the novelist's mode of analysis is different from the psychological mode, and does not exclude it." This author then devotes one chapter of eleven pages to the treatment of the sexual instinct, which includes what he has to say upon sex love. Brief as this treatment is, it is valuable, both for the facts it presents and for the problems it suggests. Havelock Ellis, who has perhaps done more than any other investigator in the field of the normal Psychology of Sex says in his most recent work:[3] "It is a very remarkable fact that although for many years past serious attempts have been made to elucidate the psychology of sexual perversions, little or no endeavor has been made to study the psychologic development of the normal sexual emotions... Continue reading book >>