Almost every intimate bond begins with some form of companionship, shared laughter, or mutual support. When that foundation begins to erode, the romantic or long-term relationship above it also begins to crack. Relationships frequently disintegrate without causing a major rift, just as friendships can slowly deteriorate. This fading can be harder to see because love, cohabitation, or family ties create a stronger sense of obligation. The signals are subtler but no less powerful.
A set of studies from the University of Toronto's "MacLab" suggest that understanding the motivations behind romantic pursuit can help distinguish between healthy, self-driven motivations and those based on fear, pressure, or insecurity.