Love may not just be a vague feeling, but a complex system that can be understood and studied using mathematical models, according to an international research team.
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Professor Laurent Bougard-Miniouay of the University of Lyon and colleagues developed mathematical models treating romantic relationships as dynamic systems, to study how emotions change over time, how they respond to stress, and how they recover or decline.
In his book "Love! Courage! Equations!," Bougard-Miniouay writes: "There's no vague magic or love potion. We're not trying to predict who you'll fall in love with, but trying to understand why some couples stay stable despite life's shocks, while others slowly drift apart."
From Rabbits to Relationships
These mathematical ideas originated from studying animal populations, like rabbits and predators, where scientists developed equations to describe how populations grow or die out. Researchers found the same principles could apply to romantic relationships, particularly the idea of a "critical threshold" below which, if emotions fall, a relationship's survival becomes difficult.
Bougard-Miniouay says every relationship may have a minimum level of emotional strength needed to remain stable. If emotions drop below that threshold and stay there, the mathematical model predicts the relationship will inevitably collapse. But knowing this threshold gives couples a chance to recognize danger zones and take action to course-correct.
He adds that three factors determine a relationship's stability: how attracted the partners are to each other, the natural decline of emotions over time, and how each partner emotionally responds to the other.
Could AI Become a Relationship GPS?
Researchers are considering combining these mathematical models with AI to create an early-warning system for relationships, alerting couples when a relationship starts drifting toward collapse, giving them time to correct course.
Bougard-Miniouay says: "Think of it like a navigation device. It shows you where you are and where you're headed, and suggests ways to reach where you want to go. The models don't tell you who to love, but help you understand how love evolves and what you can do to protect it."
Researchers stress that these models have limits. Most were developed from patterns found in Western relationships, and the reasons relationships succeed or fail may differ across cultures, religions, and social circumstances.
Humans also don't always behave predictably; they may change their habits, seek therapy, or mature in ways equations can't anticipate.
For this reason, the equations say they only reveal trends, not deterministic predictions. Bougard-Miniouay explains: "Math can show you the path, but ultimately, a relationship's success depends on two people choosing, every day, to nurture their bond. The equations show you the road, but you have to walk it together."
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Ahmed Al-Shawabkeh.
