Love is Blind: ABA & Attachment Styles

Is love truly blind, or are contestants on Love Is Blind simply engaging in reinforcement-based decision-making? In this episode of Everyday ABA, hosts Paola, Brittany, and Leslie analyze the behavioral science behind episodes 1-6 of the Netflix reality show Love Is Blind. Using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and behavioral economics, they examine how attachment theory, reinforcement history, commitment bias, and motivating operations influence the formation of relationships inside the 'pods' within just 10 days. Whether a dedicated fan of Love Is Blind, an ABA professional, or someone seeking evidence-based relationship insights, this episode offers actionable takeaways for applying ABA to love and decision-making.

 

 

📅 Season 8 of Love Is Blind premiered on February 14, 2025, and we’re diving into Episodes 1-6,  no spoilers beyond that!

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💡 What reinforcement strategies would YOU use in the pods? DM us or comment on our latest episode with your thoughts!

📢 Don’t miss Part 2 next week, where we analyze Episodes 6-9!

 

🎓 LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR CEU: 

By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:

✔️ Understand how attachment theory influences relationship behaviors

✔️  Analyze how verbal behavior shape romantic attraction on Love Is Blind using examples from the show.

✔️ Identify how motivating operations (MOs) and scarcity bias increase perceived value in relationship choices.

 

References: 

Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1978). The Bowlby-Ainsworth attachment theory. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1(3), 436–438. 

Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books.

Cialdini, R. B. (2001). Influence: Science and practice (4th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.

Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. Appleton-Century-Crofts.