Does Absence Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

Is there any truth behind social proverbs? Many studies have been conducted to find out if any of these have a basis in reality. One such proverb is, “Does absence make the heart grow fonder?” One way to find out would be to ask the public their opinion. Another way would be to pick apart aspects of Geographically Close Relationships (GCRs) and Long Distance Relationships (LDRs) to determine factors that keep people together. Both types of studies are visited.

The first study comes from Knox, Zusman, Daniels, and Brantley (2002). These researchers studied 438 participants with a 25 question test. The point of the study was to find out if the phrase, “out of sight, out of mind,” was true. Being the opposite of “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” it’s an easy leap to make that those who disagreed would agree with the latter. The researchers were measuring the percentage of people in LDRs and their thoughts on LDRs.

In this experiment , researchers found that 21.5% of respondents said that the distance ended their relationship. 20% said that distance worsened their relationship. However, 18% stated that the distance actually strengthened their relationship. Participants had to be at least 200 miles away from their significant other and away for at least three months. People in an LDR were more likely to believe “out of sight, out of mind,” than those who had not been in an LDR (42.1% vs. 34%). Those whose relationships were ended by distance also said they wouldn’t do it again, given the chance. On the other hand, those still in LDRs said that they would do it all over again given the chance.

This study slightly refutes the idea that “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Although, those whose relationships d...

... middle of paper ...

...ment and a moderate amount of enthusiastic commitment.

Over all, those who saw their relationship as an investment instead of as a loss were better off and more likely to make it work. In addition, meaning and motivation predicted staying together more than a desire to be committed. However, even knowing this, 12 out of 14 GCRs stayed together and only 28 out of 55 LDRs stayed together. After one year, 45% of GCRs were still together and only 26% of LDRs stayed together.

Works Cited

Lydon, J., Pierce, T., & O'Regan. S. (1997). Coping with moral commitment to long-distance dating relationships. journal of personality and social psychology, 73(1) 1-4-113.

Knox, D., Zusman, M. E., Daniels, V., & Brantley, A. (2002). Absence makes the heart grow fonder? long distance dating relationships among college students. College Student Journal, 36(3), 364-366.