how do you know your in love..... Options

[stanzaonthewall]

how do you know your in love....I've been questioning this for a long time now...not that i think i'm in love...i just don't want to get smacked in the face when it happens...it shouldn't be a surpise though...did you know there are different types of love....i learned about that in a psychology class...which one might you be experiencing

Sternberg's triagular theory of love...involves three main qualities
1.intamacy...this doesn't refer to sex in refers to the bond that you have formed with the other person...your giving and receiving, understanding,communication,support
2. Passion...the sexuality, romance,chemistry
3.commitment...long term or short term

These combine together to show different patterns of love

Pattern Passion Intimacy Commitment
Infatuation Yes No No
(obsession)
Affectionate No Yes Yes
(Companion)
Fatuous Yes No Yes
(worship from distance)
Consummate Yes Yes Yes
(complete)
Non-Love No No No
(stranger)
Liking No Yes No
(friendship)
Romantic Yes Yes No

Empty Love No No Yes
(an arranged marriage)

this is just a chart though...i know i shouldn't base love on this but it's a neat way of looking at it...you can even look at it to compare if you really love some of your friends...

there's no way love is a single concept... there are plenting of studies on how people love and how to have the best type of love...it all depends on what kind of tiem you want to putinto a relationship i guess

well comment away...What kind of love do you think you have with your closest person

[*This Confession*]

Yea its a neat way to look at it I suppose.

I also had a post a while ago
about the different types of love.

Eh i didn't read all your post, I'll have to post more soon. There isn't just one thing that brings up how love forms, its your relationship with someone and how you get to know then and how well you know them, and if you share commen interest.

Puppy love

Characteristically defined by age, the term "puppy love" came from how a person typically feels toward a puppy. It's quite common to have these feelings for a teacher, a friend's parent, etc. These feelings don't usually last very long but should be enjoyed while they are felt.

Unrequited love

Unrequited love is a love that is given, but not received. This can be quite painful, but is a part of growing up. It is important to be respectful of the person who does not return these feelings of affection and be mindful of their wishes.

Co-dependent love

Being co-dependent, spending all your time with someone, feeling like you can't live without them and basing your self worth on what that person thinks of you, is not love. You need to be able to be your own person, independent of them. I think that's why most people don't really fall in love until they are older. You have to know who you are first.

True love

That perfect, magical balance between you and them. The feeling that you are whole as a person, by yourself and more with that special someone.

Parent-child love

I think that this form of love is the most perfect and the most pure. It does not compare to anything I've ever felt. I remember when I was younger and dreaming about the day I would have kids. I was always worried about what if I had more than one. Wouldn't you always have a special place in your heart for your first? Could you love the second and third the same as the first? I was afraid that the love I felt would be cut in half or in thirds. But something wonderful happened. It doubled. And tripled. I am overwhelmed with all the emotion.

Lust

Feelings driven primarily by sexual longing.

Friendship love

You know what I'm talking about. The friends you can tell anything to. The ones you cover for when they're in trouble.