This article presents a theoretical perspective and a research agenda for the study of the relationship between love and effective conflict management in marriage. Love is conceptualized as virtue. Five virtues, regarded as components of benevolent love, are considered: prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice, and charity. The contribution of each virtue to conflict management is considered in relation to static and process models of marital interaction and in relation to Sorokin's five dimensions of the variation of love. Ideas from symbolic interactionist, exchange, and conflict theories are employed as perspectives in the analysis. Propositions are formulated relating each of the virtues to effective conflict management.
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