Who doesn’t fantasise living a fairy-tale, or want Bella and Edward’s love story from Twilight to come true? But did you know that psychologists have coined Seven Love Types, but the last one is rare to experience?
This theory came from American therapist Robert Sternberg in 1988. He believed that love is built by three elements: intimacy, passion and commitment. He dug deeper into his thesis and ultimately came up with seven types of love.
Not all relationships have the three factors, but a trio of these is proof of a healthy couple.
- Infatuation
Infatuation is the most uncertain love type, which may vanish unannounced. This love is the rush of chemical reactions that make you go ‘Oh My God’ when you see someone. Not every relationship goes beyond this stage.
- Liking
If you enjoy being yourself and have common interests and dreams with your partner, then it is the ‘Liking Love’. Such couples are usually more friends than partners.
- Empty Love
No intimacy and passion can lead to empty love which is a relationship ruled only by commitment. Although, there is scope for such relationships to change for the better if worked upon.
- Fatuous Love
The most common love type amidst many, Fatuous Love type involves commitment and passion both with a little less of intimacy. Such couples hardly become friends, and may or may not be happy but they do fancy big weddings and writing out their vows.
- Romantic Love
There’s intimacy and passion, but couples of this love type most likely have commitment issues. Some romantic loves do not meet the fate of marriage.
- Companionate
Twosomes feel this love after having spent many years together. It comes with the stage where passion dies to an extent, but intimacy and commitment keep them contented.
- Consummate Love
Consummate Love is the only one of all seven love types that has everything therapist Robert Sternberg emphasised on-intimacy, passion and commitment. This type of love is rare to find, or build. It is indeed a ‘picture-perfect’ relationship that lasts a lifetime!
Love is beautiful in itself, no matter of which type; but, just to ponder, what is your relationship’s Love type?