love is a feeling that emotionally links us to other living beings.
Complex in definition, love includes a number of positive emotions. Among them attachment, joy, mutual understanding, etc. Although they all vary from one human being to another, depending on the type of attachment between them and their own personal characteristics.
There are many definitions of love that have been given throughout history.
How many types of love are there?
As it is a genuine and complex feeling, it could be said that there are as many types of love as there are human beings in the world. However, most of them can be included within the main classifications that have been proposed so far.
According to the ancient Greeks, there were four types of love: eros (passionate love), storgé (brotherly love), philia (selfless love or love of neighbor) and agape (unconditional love).
in psychology There are different classifications, although they include 6 types generally:
romantic and passionate. friendly. selfless or platonic. playful, infatuation or infatuation… own. obsessive or manic.
For its part, according to the triangular theory of loveproposed by psychologist Robert Steinberg, there are 3 fundamental elements that, according to their particular combination, describe 7 types of love.
Romantic and passionate love
Romantic and passionate love refers to a type of intense and passionate love that is often characterized by intense feelings of physical and emotional attraction towards a specific person. This type of love is often associated with the early stages of romantic relationships, when passion and desire are most intense.
Romantic, passionate love is often described as an overwhelming, exciting feeling that can make us feel euphoric and energized. It can also be accompanied by a strong need to be close to the person you love, and can generate feelings of jealousy and possessiveness.
friendly love
Friendly love, also known as platonic love, is a type of love that is characterized by a deep emotional connection, affection and care towards a person. However, there is no presence of physical or sexual attraction.
In friendly love, the focus is on emotional connection, trust and mutual communication, rather than physical attraction or sexual desire. This type of love is based on friendship, mutual respect, honesty and loyalty.
Playful love, infatuation or infatuation
Playful love is a type of love that is characterized by being fun, playful and spontaneous. This type of love focuses on joy, fun, and exploration, and is based on the idea that love can be a playful and creative experience.
It is important to note that playful love does not mean that the relationship lacks depth or seriousness. In fact, it can be a very important and valuable form of love that can help keep a relationship fresh, exciting, and satisfying. Playful love can be a great way to keep the spark and passion alive in a long-term relationship.
Selfless or platonic love
In selfless or platonic love, people care deeply about the well-being of another and seek to help and support their loved one without expecting anything in return. Often this type of love is found in relationships between close friends, family members, and co-workers.
Selfless or platonic love is characterized by being a pure love, without selfishness, in which the well-being of the other is a priority. Often this type of love is based on friendship, mutual respect and understanding, and can be very important and meaningful in our lives.
Self-love
Self-love is the practice of having a deep, healthy sense of self-love, which includes acceptance, appreciation, and respect for oneself. It is the ability to recognize and value our own individuality, and to be kind and compassionate to ourselves in our strengths and weaknesses.
Self-love is essential for our mental health and emotional well-being. When we love ourselves, we are more likely to have healthy, fulfilling relationships, make informed and healthy decisions, and better handle life’s stress and challenges.
Obsessive or manic love
Obsessive or manic love is a type of love that is characterized by obsession and extreme intensity in a relationship. In this type of love, a person may feel an obsessive need to be with their partner and may experience thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may be inappropriate or harmful to the relationship and their own mental health.
People who experience this type of love can be very jealous, possessive and insecure. They often feel a constant need to control their partner. They may also experience extreme mood swings and impulsive behaviors, such as harassing their partner, being verbally or physically aggressive, or even threatening suicide if the relationship ends.
The 7 types of love, according to Robert Steinberg (the triangular theory of love)
Robert Sternberg was an American psychologist who proposed the triangular theory of love. This identifies three main components of love: intimacy, passion and commitment. And he believes that it is the combination of these three components that gives rise to the different types of love.
consummate love
This type of love is characterized by the presence of the three components: intimacy, passion and commitment. It is the ideal love that many people seek, as it involves a deep emotional connection, sexual attraction, and long-term commitment.
Romantic love
Passionate and intimate bond between two people. This type of love is characterized by the presence of intimacy and passion, but not commitment. It is a passionate and emotional love, but it does not necessarily imply a lasting relationship.
Love companion
This type of love is characterized by the presence of intimacy and commitment, but not passion. It is the love that is experienced in long-term relationships, where emotional connection and commitment are essential.
empty love
This type of love is characterized by the presence of commitment, but not intimacy or passion. It is the love that occurs in relationships that no longer have an emotional or physical connection, but that remain together due to the commitment made.
fatuous love
This type of love is characterized by the presence of passion and commitment, but not intimacy. It is an impulsive and passionate love, but it does not imply a deep emotional connection.
friendship love
This type of love is characterized by the presence of intimacy, but not passion or commitment. It is the love that occurs in friendship relationships, where the emotional connection is important, but a romantic relationship is not necessarily sought.
Intermittent love
This type of love is characterized by the presence of intimacy and commitment, but with a passion that comes and goes. It is the love that is experienced in relationships that have emotional ups and downs and that can go through moments of passion and others of emotional disconnection.
Types of couple love
There are several types of couple love, some of which include:
Romantic love: it is the type of love experienced at the beginning of a relationship, in which there is a strong physical, emotional and sexual attraction. In this type of love, people may feel butterflies in their stomach, excitement, passion, and a feeling of being in love.
Committed love: it is the type of love that is based on loyalty, trust and dedication. In this type of love, people have established a solid and committed relationship in which they support and care for each other.
Companion love: this type of love is based on a relationship of friendship and companionship, in which people support each other and enjoy their time together. In this type of love, passion and emotion may not be as strong as in romantic love, but friendship and emotional connection are essential.
Passionate love: It is an intense and emotional type of love that can include ups and downs. In this type of love, people may feel a deep and passionate connection, but they may also experience extreme emotions such as jealousy, anger, and sadness.
Mature love: This type of love is based on a strong, stable relationship, in which people have committed to supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. In this type of love, passion may not be as strong as in romantic love, but emotional connection and loyalty are essential.
It is important to remember that every relationship is unique and that not all relationships experience the same types of love. It is also possible for a relationship to experience different types of love at different times in its evolution.