A new research paper finds that the core ideas of author and pastor Gary Chapman’s best-selling book lack sufficient support. 5 love languages.
of paperThe paper, titled “Current Directions in Psychological Science,” concludes that Chapman’s theory of how love works is inadequate. Emily Impett, professor of psychology and director of the Institute for Relationships and Happiness at the University of Toronto Mississauga, and several colleagues conducted a study to assess three main ideas in Chapman’s book. . In other words, people have about five main love languages. Speak your love language and couples are happier when they speak their personal love language to each other.
However, Impett and colleagues say the research does not support this theory. In some cases, if asked to choose their first language on a quiz, people will choose their first language. On the other hand, people rated all five love languages highly when asked what they thought about each one.
Researchers also found that supporting a partner’s or spouse’s goals did not fit into the five love language model, and people with the same love language were no more satisfied than other couples. .
“Love is not like a language that you need to learn to speak, but someone who understands it as a balanced diet that requires all kinds of essential nutrients that people need to develop lasting love.” is appropriate,” Imppett and her colleagues wrote.
They also said that Chapman’s book helps couples in that it “offers partners an opportunity to reflect on, discuss, and respond to each other’s needs.”
5 love languagesReleased in 1992, it focuses on the different ways people express love. words of affirmation, physical contact, quality time, act of service and gift. Overall, this book aims to help couples strengthen their happiness.
Since its release, the book has been a mainstream success, selling over 20 million copies. For example, dating app Bumble offers a quiz on his five love languages, and the concept of love languages has also been featured on The Bachelorette and other major media outlets. Five Love Languages also has his TikTok page that has garnered tens of millions of views.
according to Christianity Today, Impett says reading Chapman’s book is more helpful than taking an online quiz because it ensures people aren’t too limited in finding their primary love language.
“All of the behaviors Chapman identified are significant,” she told Religion News Service via email.
“We are not suggesting that people are necessarily multilingual (or proficient in all five behaviors). The five behaviors identified by Chapman are important for maintaining relationships. that people should be able to learn multiple languages because it’s a really important thing that people can do.”
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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributor to Christian Headlines and host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sound doctrine and Biblical truth. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary.
