Can science explain emotion? Experts believe that people can experience love in a wide variety of ways, and that it evolved to meet the biological needs of early humans.
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Six types of love that define who you are
Can science explain emotion? Experts believe that people can experience love in a wide variety of ways, and that it evolved to meet the biological needs of early humans.
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Karen runs to the front door. Will there be anything in the post? Yes! There on the mat is a large pink envelope. She tears it open to find a beautiful card. And there is a message - but a very strange one: "Be my storge Valentine!" What on earth does it mean?
According to the psychologist John Alan Lee,1 there are six basic types of love.
First-sight delight "Eros" is a romantic, intense and immediate love in which physical attraction is very important.
Company harmony "Storge" is a more stable form of love, involving a lot of commitment and trust. Those who feel it value companionship, so they choose partners with the same interests. Physical attractiveness is less important. Storge often comes out of friendship.
Shameless game "Ludus" is the Latin word for "game", which is how some people view love. They set a lot of store by physical attraction and are liableLikely to do or to be something. It can also mean to being legally responsible. to lie to and cheat on the other person. They sometimes go out with two people at the same time.
Practical tactics "Pragma" is a practical type of love. It emphasises compatibilityWhen two people get on together without problems or conflict. and whether the other person will meet your needs. You look for someone who will get on with your friends and family, and will make life easier for you.
Crazy fantasy "Mania" involves obsession and feeling extreme highs and lows. People who feel it need to be told all the time that the other person loves them. It often leads to feelings of jealousy.
Unsparing caring "Agape" is unselfish and unconditional love. It involves caring for the other person's needs and loving them just as they are. If both partners feel agape, they are likely to be extremely happy together.
Scientists have found that passionate love causes increased brain activity. Thinking about people you are merely fond of does not have the same effect.
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Can science explain emotion?
Yes: Happiness and sadness are the result of chemicals released by our brains. Fear developed to help keep us safe from danger. Love evolved so that children would be properly looked after.
No: Love is a wonderful, indefinable thing that cannot be reduced to chemical formulas or evolutionary theories. Poets and songwriters have a much better understanding of it than scientists do.
Or... Evolutionary science explains why most humans want to find a mate and reproduce. But it is impossible to say why some couples are happy together or predict whether a marriage will last.
Keywords
Liable - Likely to do or to be something. It can also mean to being legally responsible.
Compatibility - When two people get on together without problems or conflict.
Six types of love that define who you are
Floral adorer: This detail of The Honeysuckle Bower by Rubens shows him with his wife. Glossary
Liable - Likely to do or to be something. It can also mean to being legally responsible.
Compatibility - When two people get on together without problems or conflict.