This is a topic I’ve researched over the years while writing The Phoebe Braddock Books; a series devoted to such relationships. There are several theories on the appeal of the forbidden such as:
- Psychological Reactance: the way people rebel to being told what to do, think, or feel.
- Cognitive Dissonance: placing more value on something that takes more effort to achieve
- The ‘Forbidden Fruit Effect’: the way our brain fixates on something when we know we can’t have it.
Here are some fascinating articles on the psychology of forbidden love:
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/dating-and-mating/201707/the-allure-forbidden-relationships
- https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/sex-relationships/relationships/the-forbidden-fruit-effect-explains-why-you-fall-for-the-ones-you-cant-have/news-story/e108866400a59976e7ffd60df91f0649
- https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/why-forbidden-love-is-often-the-most-tempting/