"Romantic relationships are viewed almost universally as one of the most important milestones in life, which all people should achieve at some point or another. For some, this is a great motivator; for others, this instills a sense of pressure. That said, not all people pursue romantic relationships for this reason alone. There's even a growing population of individuals who aren't inclined to search for a partner at all."
"These differing motivations (or lack thereof) were researcher and lead author Geoff MacDonald's main inspiration in a May 2025 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. More specifically, he sought to uncover which motivations were associated with greater and faster romantic success - if any at all. The Different Motivations For Romantic Pursuit To assess what motivates individuals in their pursuit of a relationship, MacDonald developed a 24-item questionnaire."
Romantic relationships are widely viewed as a major life milestone, motivating many people and creating pressure for others, while some individuals do not seek partners. A 24-item questionnaire assessed six core motivation categories derived from Self-Determination Theory with an initial sample of over 1,200 single adults. Different motivations correlated with distinct personality traits and romantic interests. Intrinsic motivation involves pursuing a relationship because it feels enjoyable, meaningful, and fulfilling, and relates to secure attachment styles, stronger social goals, and greater interest in committed (versus casual) relationships. Identified motivation involves seeking a relationship because it aligns with life goals and values, emphasizing companionship and family, and shows similar attachments and goals to intrinsic motivation.
Read at Psychology Today
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