Fear and Love Biases: Parallel Emotional Forces Shaping Politics, Markets, and Faith

Abstract

This article explores the powerful emotional biases of fear and love as foundational psychological forces embedded in Homo sapiens' evolutionary history. From politics to marketing, and religion to intergroup dynamics, fear and love function as dual systems of emotional influence that shape individual and collective behavior. We examine how fear promotes protection and withdrawal, while love drives connection and expansion, and how both are exploited across institutions. The paper investigates the origins of these biases, the socio-political and economic mechanisms that exploit them, and the dual role of religion as a tool for both fear and love. Finally, it proposes awareness and education as strategies for transcending the fear-love trap.

Keywords: fear-love bias, evolutionary psychology, politics, marketing, religion, emotion, manipulation, social cohesion JEL Classification: D91

JEL Classification: D91, Z13, M31, N30, H83