8 signs a man genuinely loves you, according to psychology

We all dream of experiencing true love and having a partner who worships the ground we walk on.
But while we might be able to tell when we’re infatuated, we cannot know how our partner truly feels about us.
This uncertainty can breed extreme anxiety, making us agonize over where we stand.
We wonder, “Is there a way to determine if our love is requited?”
Well…
Although there is no way to read their minds, psychology can help us decode our partner’s behaviors and determine if they genuinely love us.
Here are eight signs that psychologists and research studies suggest signify true love…
1) He is there for you whenever you need him
One of the most significant signs that a man loves you is if he is there for you through both the good times and the bad.
It is not about being at your beck and call but being willing to drop everything and make yourself emotionally available whenever your partner is experiencing turmoil.
When couples go through hard times together, their relationship strengthens, and their bond deepens.
Research in attachment theory suggests that this consistent availability is rooted in a secure attachment style characterized by trust, comfort, and reliability.
A man who loves you will demonstrate a secure attachment by:
- Being responsive to your needs
- Providing reassurance during times of uncertainty
- Actively participating in your life
When a man does this, he shows that he prioritizes your needs and, thus, is willing to do the following…
2) He makes sacrifices for you
Research shows that sacrifices are essential for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
A man who genuinely loves you will be willing to make big and small sacrifices to demonstrate his commitment and prioritize your happiness.
But let me be clear: this is not about him putting your needs above yours.
Moreover, sacrifice should be mutual and balanced in a healthy relationship.
Healthy relationship sacrifices may include:
- Compromising on personal preferences
- Adjusting his schedule to accommodate your needs
- Making significant life changes to support your goals and aspirations
When I think of my relationship with my partner, we have made big sacrifices for each other.
For example, we have both moved to different cities to support each other’s professional and personal goals, which brings me to the following sign…
3) He encourages and supports your dreams
If your partner acts like your biggest cheerleader, he genuinely loves you.
In healthy relationships, both partners cheer each other on as they pursue their dreams and ambitions.
According to psychologist Carol Dweck, this happens when both partners exhibit a growth mindset.
In simpler terms, it means believing that you and your partner can learn and grow together.
Therefore, a man who genuinely loves you will encourage and support your personal growth by:
- Celebrating your successes
- Encouraging you to pursue your passions and aspirations.
- Offering guidance and practical support as you work towards your goals
- Believing in your abilities even when you doubt yourself
Moreover, if a man supports your goals and aspirations, he will likely do the following…
4) He honors your boundaries
Respecting boundaries is crucial in any relationship.
A man who truly loves you will prioritize your comfort and well-being by honoring your boundaries and respecting your autonomy.
For example, let’s say you tell your partner you need some alone time to work on your business or pursue a hobby.
If your partner genuinely loves you, he will acknowledge and respect the boundary you set and will not try to pressure or persuade you to spend that time with him.
He will also communicate openly and honestly about his boundaries.
As Psychologist Brené Brown emphasizes in her teachings, establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries in a relationship creates a safe and supportive environment where both partners feel valued and respected.
5) He opens up to you
Vulnerability is an integral component of love and intimacy.
According to relationship counselor Kari Rusnak, vulnerability allows partners to connect on a deeper emotional level, fostering deeper trust and intimacy.
However, many people struggle to open up to others, especially men.
Men typically don’t share their worries and problems with their friends like some women do.
If they choose to open up, they do so only to someone they fully trust and feel comfortable around.
So, if your man willingly shares his true feelings and deepest insecurities with you, this demonstrates a solid emotional connection.
It shows that he trusts you with his innermost thoughts, knowing you will accept and support him unconditionally.
Being open and honest with each other also means you have consistent communication.
So, every time he shares things with you, he demonstrates his desire to stay connected and involved in each other’s lives, which links to the following sign…
6) He includes you in all aspects of his life
A man who loves you will integrate you into every aspect of his life, demonstrating his desire for closeness and connection.
This is because, as many psychologists, such as Robert Sternberg, state, intimacy goes beyond a physical connection and involves a deep emotional bond.
From family gatherings and social events to major life decisions and future plans, if a man genuinely loves you, he will include you and consult you on important matters.
This includes:
- Introducing you to his friends and family
- Sharing his interests and hobbies with you
- Making an effort to involve you in his daily life
He won’t ever keep you in the dark about any aspect of his life, nor will he keep you separate from his other loved ones.
Instead, he will make it clear that you are an integral part of his inner circle, which affirms his commitment to building a shared future together.
7) He actively tries to resolve arguments
You can tell a lot about how a guy really feels about you by how he reacts to your disagreements.
A man who truly loves you WON’T respond to conflict by:
- Putting all the blame on you
- Giving you the silent treatment (stonewalling you)
- Threatening to leave you
No, a man who genuinely loves you will feel a strong need and desire to resolve the conflict, and you will see this through his actions.
After an argument, he will likely approach you, actively seeking resolution and reconciliation.
He will listen attentively to your perspective, validate your feelings, and work with you to find mutually beneficial solutions.
He will never resort to blame or defensiveness but will approach disagreements with empathy, understanding, and a willingness to compromise. This ensures both partners feel heard and understood.
8) He is concerned about your safety
Lastly, one of the more subtle signs that a man genuinely loves you is feeling a healthy level of protectiveness towards you.
What does this mean?
It is all about ‘The hero instinct,’ a psychological term dating and relationship expert James Bauer coined.
Bauer explains that the hero instinct is a biological drive within all men. This instinct drives them to provide, protect, and care for those they love.
Note the last part of this definition – those they love.
Thus, if a man doesn’t truly love you, he won’t show much concern for your health and safety.
However, if he does love you, he will display protective behaviors like:
- Walking closest to the road (to protect you from traffic) when you’re walking down the street together
- Holding your hand as you cross a busy highway
- Insisting on driving you home at night so that you don’t have to take public transport
- Staying within sight at unfamiliar places or social events where you don’t know many people
I want to point out that the hero’s instinct is not about control.
There is a massive difference between protective behavior (like the examples above) and controlling behavior (such as dictating what you wear or where you go).
Final thoughts
As the famous saying goes, actions speak louder than words.
Even if your man declares his love verbally, psychology suggests these eight nonverbal signs are more reliable indicators of true love.
If you recognize most of these signs in your partner, congrats as your man appears besotted.
Even so, remember that relationships require consistent effort from both partners.
If your partner shows up for you in all the ways described above, be sure you’re doing the same for him!