1
Unrequited Love and Ethical Decision-Making
Capella University
PSYC-FPX3520
Intro to Social Psychology
, 2
Unrequited Love and Ethical Decision-Making
Content:
This paper explores a case study involving Susan, who encounters a dilemma in her
social relationships. Susan attends a party hosted by her friend Mark, mainly because her
social life has been relatively quiet lately. During the event, Mark admires Susan through
various comments and gestures. Although Susan maintains a friendly demeanor throughout
the evening, she is cautious about misrepresenting the nature of their friendship. After
enjoying the party, she thanked Mark and took a cab home. However, the following morning,
she is surprised to discover several social media posts from Mark expressing his feelings for
her. Feeling caught off guard, Susan publicly clarifies their relationship and sets a boundary
by unfriending Mark. The social-psychological concept of unrequited love is pertinent to
Susan's situation. Unrequited love occurs when one person has romantic feelings for another,
but those feelings are not reciprocated (Baumeister & Bushman, 2021). This phenomenon is
not uncommon and can affect individuals of any gender. Typically, men find themselves in
the role of the rejected, while women assume the role of the rejector. Such experiences can
lead to emotional distress for the rejected individual (Baumeister & Bushman, 2021), with
familiar repercussions including feelings of guilt and diminished self-esteem.
Research Support
Research Summary
In a rebuttal essay, Bamford (2015) critiques the work of Epar and colleagues,
arguing that the neurochemical modulation of love should be classified as a medical issue.
This concept refers to the brain's chemical receptors that manage dopamine and serotonin,
significantly determining attraction. Bamford (2015) posits that heartbreak can lead to
additional health problems, such as heart disease. She challenges the credibility of Epar's
Unrequited Love and Ethical Decision-Making
Capella University
PSYC-FPX3520
Intro to Social Psychology
, 2
Unrequited Love and Ethical Decision-Making
Content:
This paper explores a case study involving Susan, who encounters a dilemma in her
social relationships. Susan attends a party hosted by her friend Mark, mainly because her
social life has been relatively quiet lately. During the event, Mark admires Susan through
various comments and gestures. Although Susan maintains a friendly demeanor throughout
the evening, she is cautious about misrepresenting the nature of their friendship. After
enjoying the party, she thanked Mark and took a cab home. However, the following morning,
she is surprised to discover several social media posts from Mark expressing his feelings for
her. Feeling caught off guard, Susan publicly clarifies their relationship and sets a boundary
by unfriending Mark. The social-psychological concept of unrequited love is pertinent to
Susan's situation. Unrequited love occurs when one person has romantic feelings for another,
but those feelings are not reciprocated (Baumeister & Bushman, 2021). This phenomenon is
not uncommon and can affect individuals of any gender. Typically, men find themselves in
the role of the rejected, while women assume the role of the rejector. Such experiences can
lead to emotional distress for the rejected individual (Baumeister & Bushman, 2021), with
familiar repercussions including feelings of guilt and diminished self-esteem.
Research Support
Research Summary
In a rebuttal essay, Bamford (2015) critiques the work of Epar and colleagues,
arguing that the neurochemical modulation of love should be classified as a medical issue.
This concept refers to the brain's chemical receptors that manage dopamine and serotonin,
significantly determining attraction. Bamford (2015) posits that heartbreak can lead to
additional health problems, such as heart disease. She challenges the credibility of Epar's
