Four Types of Lovers Unveiled by Science: Which One Can’t Stop Having Sex?

Love manifests in diverse forms, and a recent study has uncovered that the same variety applies to those experiencing it. The research, documented in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, has pinpointed four unique categories of romantic partners, including one particularly passionate group that engages in sexual activities up to 20 times per week.

The investigation, spearheaded by Adam Bode, a doctoral student in biological anthropology at Australian National University, compiled insights from over 1,500 individuals from 33 different nations. The responses of 809 young adults, ages 18 to 25, who were in romantic relationships, served as the study’s foundation. Bode’s findings reveal a significant insight: not everyone experiences love in the same manner, a fact previously unexplored by scientific studies.

Identifying the Four Romantic Archetypes

The researchers categorized the participants into four groups based on factors such as commitment level, frequency of obsessive thoughts, emotional depth, and frequency of sexual encounters: mild, moderate, intense, and libidinous.

The “mild” romantics, who constitute about 20% of the survey participants, displayed the lowest scores in terms of commitment, emotional involvement, and sexual activity. Only about a quarter of them were confident that their partner reciprocated their feelings, and less than 83% were sexually active.

The largest group, the “moderate” romantics, made up about 41% of the respondents. Described as fairly unremarkable, this group predominantly consisted of men, generally had fewer children, and exhibited steady commitment and moderate levels of sexual activity. Characteristics of this group included reliable communication and routine date nights, but rarely any romantic surprises like spontaneous poetry.

About 29% of the sample fell into the “intense” category. These participants are the epitome of being passionately in love, with high levels of commitment, frequent obsessive thoughts, active sex lives, and strong emotions. Interestingly, this group was predominantly female.

Then there are the “libidinous” romantics, who account for just under 10% of those surveyed. This group reported an average of 10 sexual encounters per week, with some reporting as many as 20. Their investment wasn’t purely physical; they also exhibited strong emotional connections, high commitment, and frequent obsessive thoughts about their partners. Many in this group were in committed relationships but chose not to cohabitate with their partners.

Additionally, those in the libidinous category were more likely to engage in behaviors such as traveling frequently, spending liberally, and smoking cigarettes.

The research further highlighted that romantic love is not only an emotional experience but also has physiological components. It involves changes in hormones and neurotransmitters and typically transitions from passionate to companionate love—marked by less intensity and more comfort—after about two years.

While some may view these findings as mere trivia akin to a BuzzFeed quiz, Bode stresses their importance. Romantic love plays a significant role in personal relationships, cultural practices, and family dynamics, yet it remains a relatively underexplored area of study. According to Bode, the ways people express love may still be evolving.

Whether you find yourself as a mild, moderate, intense, or extremely libidinous lover, the research confirms one thing: it’s all valid forms of love, just experienced differently.