ABSTRACT

Cooperative love may have its beginnings in passion or romance, but for it to survive, the relationship, must take its rightful place at the center of love. Of all the myths about love, the myth of unconditional love is the most pernicious and will create most destructive moments in love relationships. Unconditional love is a need that is pertinent to the infant that they once were. Cooperative communication takes the other person’s reactions into account. Cooperative love is conscious love between two individuals who have matured beyond their narcissistic strivings based on unresolved infantile issues. The pleasure of sexual activity represents us at the height of our narcissism, in our absolute delight in receiving pleasure. It also represents us at the height of our ability for cooperative love, in our generosity in giving pleasure. Cooperative fighting is like riding a seesaw. In fighting, people need to complement each other, not imitate each other.