Surely on many occasions you have asked yourself what exactly is love, since sometimes one does not know very well how to define it, and it can be confused with another type of emotion. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who has done it! Love has been and continues to be an object of study in Psychology. What do you think is the reason for so much interest? From my point of view, because it is one of the most valued and appreciated emotions, which is closely related to what we understand by happiness.
Well, from a biological point of view, it would be an interaction between pheromones and oxytocin… But… this doesn’t solve our doubt, does it? Perhaps with a closer definition we can understand it better. We will say, therefore, that love is a complex and universal emotion, inherent in human beings. In this Psychology-Online article we talk about the Types of couple love and relationships.
Types of love
And, what types of relationships can we find? One of the theories with the greatest theoretical and practical weight is Sternberg triangular theory (1988). According to him, love would be divided into three basic elements (PASSION, INTIMACY AND COMMITMENT) that would make relationships completely different from other relationships and the failure or deficiency of any of them would be responsible for relationship problems. .
- PASSION o DESIRE would be the feeling of enjoying the other as well as the desire to want to be with the other person. Attraction, interest, the search for pleasure or sexual desire would be the sub-elements that make it up and that give us the feeling of exclusivity compared to other relationships.
- The PRIVACY corresponds to the bond or support we get from the relationship. The desire for the well-being of the other person, intimate communication, mutual knowledge, appreciation, respect,… Unconditional support is derived from this element, it provides well-being in difficult moments.
- He COMMITMENT It is the decision to love the other person and to maintain that relationship. Promotes stability in relationships based on trust, responsibility assumed by each member, recognition of obligations, etc.
Types of relationships
It is the combination of these elements that gives rise to seven different types of relationshipswith a greater degree of well-being and/or duration.
- Dear: This is the intimate affection that characterizes true friendships. You feel a bond and closeness with the other person, but not physical passion or long-term commitment.
- Infatuation: It is what is commonly felt as “love at first sight.” There is no intimacy or commitment. Just as they appear fleetingly, they can also disappear with the same speed.
- Empty love: There is a union of commitment, but the passion and intimacy no longer exist. They have no feelings for each other, but there is a sense of respect and reciprocity. Typical of marriages of convenience or those who do it for the children.
- Romantic love: They are relationships in which there is a union on an emotional level thanks to the support obtained, as well as a great physical attraction. They would be those relationships that perceive everything as rosy, without problems or difficulties.
- Sociable or companionship love: It is a type of love without passion, but in contrast there is great affection and desire to share facts with the other person.
- Fatuous or crazy love: They are relationships in which attraction strengthens commitment. There are no shared conversations or goals, the fundamental thing is the desire to be with the other person in relation to the attraction. These are usually relationships in which there is a third person who plays the role of support and confidant, since this is not achieved within the relationship itself.
- Consummate love: It represents the ideal relationship, although difficult to achieve and, even more difficult, to maintain.
It is often considered that the feelings of people involved in romantic relationships are the only necessary ingredient for their success. However, its development is affected by a considerable number of aspects whose combinations are of great interest.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Types of love and relationshipswe recommend that you enter our category.