Based on different types of love present in the society, love has been given numerous names. An attempt to put down different types of love in psychology has been made in this article. Eros, Storge, Pragma, Agape, Ludus and Mania are the six different types of love that are known by the intensity and intent of how we love someone.
Eros- The Passionate Love
Perhaps, this is the most evident form of love, that we all have experienced in our lives, at some point or the other. Eros, as the name suggests is a type of love, in which the desire, physical attraction, physical appearance and romance is given the top priority. Since eros is mostly an erotic feeling, there are higher levels of passion and physical intimacy.
Physical attraction can be at peak but in the long run, it fades owing to over importance of physical aspects of the relationship. People who love this way are very charged up, emotional and gung ho about their relationship initially but it fades as time passes.
Storge- An Emotional Bonding
Storge love is the familial love, we experience in our society. The love of our parents and siblings is what constitutes storge love. It is beautiful to experience family bonding and lucky are the people who have families. A baby and a mother share an amazing love, that can be read in the their eyes. A deep and abiding affection is something that comes from deep family relationships. When extended to love between couples, storge love focuses on building compassionate, caring and emotional bonding with the couple.
Pragma- The Need Based Love
Amongst, different types of love, pragma love focuses more on needs and wants, educational qualifications, professions, income, social status, common hobbies, parental possessions, material belongings of the respective partners. The main focus in this type of love is on needs. If everything adjusts to the partners needs, he or she seems to be satisfied, with the partner.
Agape- The Divine Love
This is perhaps the most divine and highest level of love; understanding which requires a compassionate heart. Agape is one of the different types of love in Greek, is considered to be the purest form of love. It promotes brotherly feeling and love for each other. In fact, it is exactly what all religions have been trying to teach us.
Ludus- The Euphoric Love
Lover's who have the tendency of being in romantic relationships for sometime and give it up, after initial euphoria of thrill and enjoyment is over, are said to be in Ludus form of love. A ludus lover does not work for long term commitments but short term goals and objectives.
Mania- Obsessive Love
It is the worst forms of love and as the name suggests, it is full of insecurity, mania, jealousy and other extreme reactions like obsession, compulsion and excessive demands.
