When you think of love, you probably imagine an emotion filled with passion, devotion and emotional fulfilment. While these elements are central to the experience of love, it’s not as easy as simply saying, “I love you.” Love is a complex and complicated process that can be difficult to understand, especially for those who don’t share the same experiences.
The question, what is love, has occupied philosophers, writers and scientists for centuries. Some see it as a biological drive, similar to those that make you hungry or thirsty, while others see it as a spiritual or religious experience.
While many people believe that a single definition of love is not possible, scientists and psychologists have developed some theories to describe the different types of love that exist. For example, some experts argue that people may have a mix of the three primary love styles: mania, pragma and agape. Manic love is intense feelings of attraction combined with worries about commitment, pragma is making sensible relationship choices and agape is self-sacrificing.
Other researchers suggest that a person’s emotions and actions can influence their love language. For example, if you’re in a relationship with someone who has an appreciation for acts of service, you may feel that they show their love by helping out around the house or cooking dinner. Other examples of the way a person shows their affection may include gifts, words of affirmation and physical touch. It’s important to know your own love language and be aware of the way your partner loves.