Neuroscience: What It Tells Us About Marriage

Marriage is a complex and multifaceted institution studied by researchers in many fields, including psychology, sociology, and neuroscience. In recent years, advances in brain imaging techniques have allowed scientists to gain new insights into the neural processes that underlie romantic relationships and the ways in which they change over time.

One of the most critical findings of neuroscience research on marriage is that the brain responds differently to a spouse than it does to a casual romantic partner. Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have shown that the ventral striatum, a brain region that is involved in processing rewards and motivation, is more active in response to pictures of a spouse than it is to pictures of an attractive stranger. This suggests that the brain views a spouse as a special and valuable person rather than just another potential romantic partner.

Another important finding is that the brain changes in response to long-term relationships. Studies using fMRI have shown that the neural networks that are involved in processing emotions and social information become more connected and efficient over time in people who are in long-term romantic relationships. This suggests that the brain adapts to the demands of a long-term relationship, becoming more attuned to the needs and emotions of one's partner.

Research has also shown that the brain's response to a spouse can change throughout a marriage. Studies have found that the brain's reward centers are more active during the early stages of a romantic relationship when the couple is first falling in love. Over time, however, the brain's reward centers become less active and the brain's "default mode network," which is involved in self-reflection and introspection, becomes more active. This suggests that the brain's response to a spouse changes as the relationship matures and the couple becomes more comfortable with each other.

Finally, neuroscience research has also provided insight into the neural mechanisms that underlie relationship conflicts. Studies have shown that the brain regions that are involved in processing negative emotions, such as anger and frustration, are more active during conflicts with a romantic partner than they are during conflicts with a friend or a stranger. Additionally, research has found that the brain's "theory of mind" network, which is involved in understanding other people's thoughts and emotions, is less active during conflicts with a romantic partner than it is during conflicts with a friend or a stranger. This suggests that conflicts with a romantic partner are experienced differently than conflicts with others and that they may be more emotionally charged and harder to resolve.

In conclusion, neuroscience research has provided new insights into the neural processes that underlie romantic relationships and has shown that the brain responds differently to a spouse than it does to a casual romantic partner and that the brain changes in response to long-term relationships. It also gives us more information about what happens during conflicts, and how the brain responds differently during conflicts with a romantic partner than with others.

Chris Cambas, LMFT, Certified Gottman Therapist & Trainer, Relationship Expert, Co-Founder of CoupleStrong
CEO of National Marriage Seminars & The Practice Startup. (813)960-0001