Which statement best distinguishes passionate love from companionate love?

• A. Passionate love features intense arousal and preoccupation.
• B. Passionate love is long-term stable; companionate involves arousal.
• C. Passionate love features intense arousal and preoccupation; companionate love features deep affection, trust, and long-term commitment.
• D. Both are identical.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that passionate love and companionate love differ in what drives the connection. Passionate love is about intense arousal and being preoccupied with the beloved—think strong emotions, excitement, and a feeling that thoughts circle around the other person. Companionate love, by contrast, builds over time and centers on deep affection, trust, and long-term commitment, giving a sense of security, mutual respect, and shared life goals. The best statement captures both parts: the passionate side with strong arousal and preoccupation, and the companionate side with warmth, trust, and lasting commitment. The other descriptions miss key aspects—one suggests passion stays stable long-term, which isn’t typical; another pairs arousal only with companionate love or claims they’re identical. Understanding how these two forms of love differ helps explain how relationships feel in different stages: passion can be intense but fleeting, while companionate love grows into a steady, enduring bond.