News about Gary Chapman

Tracey Cox (right), a UK sex and marriage specialist, busts five myths this week, ranging from everyone having a 'love word' to the suggestion that we all have a soulmate.

Gary Chapman, a Baptist minister, who argued that everyone has a primary love language for expressing and feeling love. There are five love languages, including affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical contact; and relationship issues arise when spouses speak different love languages; But psychologists believe that contrary to making a partnership stronger, the rigid focus on five love languages avoids the crucial question to be asked in romantic relationships, which is, 'how can I make you feel more loved right now?'

Love languages can help couples understand each others' needs. However, there is no science behind the well-known 30-year-old theory, Dr Martin Graff, who specializes in the psychology of marriages, but there is no evidence to back up the popular 30-year-old belief. 'Although the love languages model has increased in popularity, it was designed based on observations rather than rigorous study,' Dr Graff said.' However, Dr. Graff's words, "whether or not there is science in this particular belief, may not matter so much." 'There's no doubt that expressing your love for your partner in a thoughtful manner is beneficial.' And, though there are no concrete facts, he said Valentine Day's'might be a good time to reflect on your partner's love language.'

Want to know the secret to a long lasting and happy marriage? Well, a group of leading psychologists has developed a series of 12 must-ask questions that may help ensure marriage happiness. Dr. David Helfand, a Vermont-based licensed psychologist specializing in couples counseling, told Today.com that "setting boundaries is one of the most difficult parts of a long-term romantic relationship, but it must be done before tying the marriage."

It's fun to read the astrological news each week. If you know how different planets influence your cosmic personality, you'll get a good idea of what makes your heart blaze. Want to take it up a notch? If you combine the actor's wisdom with a common relationship term — the five love languages — you might get a much deeper insight into what makes you happy and seen in a romantic encounter. The love languages, as dictated in counsellor Gary Chapman's book "The Five Love Languages," describe how you want to receive love — how you interpret gestures or words as signs of affection. The five love languages are: acts of service, physical appearance, quality time, receiving gifts, and words of affirmation. Most people approve of all of these things to a certain degree, but some people identify with one or two of the love languages more so than others. (And, FYI, no love word is "better" or "worse" than the others.)