Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson Releases Book on Science of Love

Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, director of the Positive Emotions Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has authored the book Amor 2.0 – A ciência a favor dos relacionamentos (Love 2.0 – The Science in Favor of Relationships). Drawing on decades of research on positive emotions, she argues that love is a fleeting positive emotion rather than an exclusive, permanent, or unconditional bond. The book explains that love is renewable, arising from conditions such as safety and security, and can be cultivated through awareness and favorable environments.

Fredrickson’s findings challenge traditional cultural ideas of love, suggesting that the emotion lasts only minutes or seconds but can be reinforced through frequent micro‑moments with close others. The work aims to help readers understand love’s biological basis and apply practical strategies to nurture it in daily life.