3. Motivation Source: Drive Dimension
John Alan Lee's Love Styles Typology (1973)
Theoretical Background
Theoretical Origins & Development: The Drive dimension is grounded in the love typology proposed by Canadian sociologist John Alan Lee at the University of Toronto in 1973, later known as the "Color Wheel Theory of Love." Through literature analysis and hundreds of in-depth interviews, Lee categorized love experiences into six basic styles. This theory was subsequently developed into the Love Attitudes Scale (LAS) by Hendrick & Hendrick (1986), becoming one of the most widely used measurement tools in love research.
Six Love Styles: Lee identified three primary loves: Eros (passionate love)—emphasizing physical attraction and emotional intensity; Ludus (game-playing love)—viewing love as a game, avoiding deep commitment; Storge (friendship love)—love naturally developing from friendship. Three secondary loves are mixed from primaries: Pragma (pragmatic love) = Ludus + Storge—emphasizing practical compatibility; Mania (obsessive love) = Eros + Ludus—characterized by intense possessiveness and emotional volatility; Agape (selfless love) = Eros + Storge—unconditional altruistic giving.
RSTI's Simplification Logic: Considering test validity and practicality, RSTI consolidates the six styles into two driving force axes: Emotional Drive integrates characteristics of Eros, Mania, and Agape—using emotional experience as the core fuel for relationships; Pragmatic Drive integrates characteristics of Pragma, Storge, and partial Ludus—using realistic considerations as the primary basis for relationship decisions.
Emotional (E)
Emotionally Driven
Emotionally driven individuals use subjective emotional experience as the primary basis for entering, maintaining, or ending relationships. Characteristics include: valuing initial chemistry and heart-fluttering feelings, pursuing romantic rituals and emotional depth in relationships, and being highly sensitive to changes in emotional intensity. Emotional types believe "feeling" is the core indicator of relationship quality—when emotional connection weakens, they perceive relationship problems. In Lee's classification, emotional drive highly correlates with Eros (passionate love). Cross-cultural research shows emotional drive tendencies are more prominent in individualist cultures and closely related to romantic love cultural scripts.
Pragmatic (P)
Pragmatically Driven
Pragmatically driven individuals use objective condition assessment as the primary basis for relationship decisions. Characteristics include: valuing partners' socioeconomic background, values, and life goal compatibility; tendency toward rational analysis of long-term relationship viability; and conscious consideration of relationship investment cost-effectiveness. Pragmatic types believe "compatibility" is key to relationship continuity—even when emotional intensity fluctuates, if core conditions align, the relationship is worth maintaining. In Lee's classification, pragmatic drive relates to Pragma (pragmatic love) and Storge (friendship love). Research shows pragmatic drive tendencies are more prevalent in collectivist cultures and arranged marriage traditions.
Key Insights
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Validity & Functionality: Research indicates emotional and pragmatic drives are not mutually exclusive; most individuals possess both tendencies, differing in relative weight. Both driving forces serve adaptive functions: emotional drive facilitates pair-bond formation, while pragmatic drive aids long-term relationship maintenance.
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Common Friction Points: Emotionally driven individuals may question relationships due to "fading feelings"; pragmatically driven individuals may reassess relationships due to "changing conditions" (e.g., economic circumstances). When these types pair, they often have fundamental cognitive differences about "what constitutes a real problem."
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Life Cycle Changes: Longitudinal research shows individual drive tendencies change with age and relationship stages. Emotional drive tendency is stronger in youth; as age increases and relationship experience accumulates, pragmatic drive proportion typically increases. This reflects the developmental trajectory of relationship needs from passionate attraction to stable attachment.