Dr. Helen Fisher, an anthropologist, has studied human love through a scientific framework. She has identified four love types based on the dominance of certain brain chemicals.
Talking Points:
- Explorers are dominant in dopamine (think “spontaneity”). They are motivated and goal-oriented, often seeking a playmate in life.
- Builders are dominant in serotonin (think “stability”). They are planners and like to schedule things ahead of time.
- Directors are dominant in testosterone (think “focus”). They value logic and are not easily swayed by emotion.
- Negotiators are dominant in estrogen (think “sensitivity”). They have a vivid imagination and tend to daydream, often seeking a soul mate in life.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you believe in love at first sight or soul mates? Why or why not?
- Which love type do you most identify with and why? Take the test.
- Which love type would you say describes your partner? What characteristics of your partner makes your love match strong and healthy? What areas are challenging?
- How can being aware of the love types help you overcome your differences?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
