Psychology ETDs

Publication Date

Fall 11-9-2024

Abstract

Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages (2024) is an internationally recognized popular psychology theory. In the present study (n = 740) a series of factor analyses were conducted to explore the structure of the five love languages. Both the structure of what behaviors people perceive as an expression of their partner’s love (reception), and the structure of what behaviors people perceive as an expression of their love for their partner (expression) were examined. Although exploratory factor analyses suggested that a two-factor and five-factor solution were reasonable across both reception and expression formats, confirmatory factor analyses resulted in no model being retained. A detailed overview of the analyses in relation to construct validity provides a clear path for future research to clarify the structure of the love languages. In addition, I discuss what researchers studying the love languages should aim to do and how they might best achieve those aims.

Degree Name

Psychology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Psychology

First Committee Member (Chair)

Geoffrey Miller

Second Committee Member

Tania Reynolds

Third Committee Member

Margo Hurlocker

Fourth Committee Member

David Lewis

Language

English

Keywords

commitment indicators, expressions of love, relationship science, loving behaviors

Document Type

Thesis

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