Sandra Langeslag

Sandra Langeslag
NationalityDutch
EducationPh.D.
Alma materErasmus University Rotterdam
Scientific career
Fields
InstitutionsUniversity of Missouri–St. Louis

Sandra Langeslag is a Dutch cognitive and biological psychologist who studies romantic love.[1][2] Langeslag is the director of the Neurocognition of Emotion and Motivation Lab at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.[3] She received her PhD from Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Netherlands.[2]

Studies by Langeslag using EEG have demonstrated that self-regulating love feelings is possible,[4][3] especially through a task called cognitive reappraisal.[5] Cognitive reappraisal involves focusing on positive or negative aspects of the partner to change how one feels.[5]

A 2012 experiment by Langeslag also contradicted a long-running hypothesis in love research which supposed that intrusive thoughts during early-stage romantic love might be caused by decreased serotonin levels.[6] Her experiment found that serotonin levels were differently affected in men and women, and that obsessive thinking in women was actually associated with an increase in serotonin.[6]

  1. ^ Langeslag, Sandra (13 February 2023). "Is it love or infatuation? This relationship questionnaire will help you tell" (web). Today (American TV program). Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Sandra J. E. Langeslag, Ph.D." University of Missouri–St. Louis. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Gregory, Andrew (29 May 2018). "The Best Way To Get Over a Breakup, According to Science". Time. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  4. ^ Langeslag, Sandra (2024). "Refuting Six Misconceptions about Romantic Love". Behavioral Sciences. 14 (5): 383. doi:10.3390/bs14050383. PMC 11117554. PMID 38785874.
  5. ^ a b Langeslag, Sandra; van Strien, Jan (16 August 2016). "Regulation of Romantic Love Feelings: Preconceptions, Strategies, and Feasibility". PLOS ONE. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161087. hdl:1765/96479.
  6. ^ a b Langeslag, Sandra; Van Der Veen, Frederik; Fekkes, Durk (2012). "Blood Levels of Serotonin Are Differentially Affected by Romantic Love in Men and Women". Journal of Psychophysiology. 26 (2): 92–98. doi:10.1027/0269-8803/a000071.