Ever wondered if the way you love people mirrors your affection for pets? A recent study suggests it does. Here, love styles refer to distinct patterns of emotional connection—without any sexual undertones—categorized into six types originally identified by sociologist John Alan Lee in 1973:
Eros – intense, passionate love blending physical, mental, and emotional intimacy
Ludus – playful love favoring casual fun with multiple partners over commitment
Storge – companionate love rooted in friendship, loyalty, and shared values
Pragma – practical, logical love focused on compatibility
Mania – possessive, anxious love marked by emotional ups and downs
Agape – selfless, compassionate love given freely
These styles, extensively researched over decades, now extend to human-animal bonds. A professor specializing in human-animal interactions partnered with colleagues to explore parallels between romantic love styles and pet attitudes.
The team surveyed 436 introductory psychology students using the established Pet Attitude Scale and Hendricks Love Style Scale. Erotic lovers—who cherish intimacy and positive partner views—tended to rate pets highly. Conversely, ludus types, often linked to multiple partners and manipulative tendencies, viewed pets less favorably.
Relationship quality and social support also played key roles: those in satisfying partnerships or with strong close ties held more positive pet views.
Most results aligned with predictions, but one finding stood out.
"We were a little surprised that the connection between relationship factors and pet attitudes was stronger for men than women, given prior research showing women's generally warmer animal attitudes," noted the lead researcher.
