Gary Demonte Chapman (born January 10, 1938) is an American

author In legal discourse, an author is the creator of an original work that has been published, whether that work exists in written, graphic, visual, or recorded form. The act of creating such a work is referred to as authorship. Therefore, a sculpt ...

radio talk show host Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues and consisting entirely or almost entirely of original spoken word content rather than outside music. They may feature monologues, dialogues between the hosts, Interview (jo ...

, and

Baptist minister Baptists are a denomination within Protestant Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers ( believer's baptism) and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches generally subscribe to the doctrines of ...

. Chapman is most noted for his ''

The Five Love Languages ''The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate'' is a 1992 nonfiction book by Baptist pastor Gary Chapman. It outlines five general ways that romantic partners express and experience love, which Chapman calls "love ...

'' series regarding

human relationships In social psychology, an interpersonal relation (or interpersonal relationship) describes a social association, connection, or affiliation between two or more people. It overlaps significantly with the concept of social relations, which are ...

Biography

Chapman was born on January 10, 1938, in

China Grove, North Carolina China Grove is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,434 at the 2020 census. The town is located just north of Landis and south of Salisbury. It was one of the first towns in the United States to have Rura ...

. Chapman joined the staff of Calvary Baptist Church in

Winston-Salem, North Carolina Winston-Salem is a city in Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 249,545, making it the List of municipalities in North Carolina, fifth-most populous ...

, in 1971 and shares the responsibilities of teaching and family care. Gary Chapman

Chapman is perhaps best known for his concept of "Five Love Languages", helping people express and receive love through one of five "languages," specifically: words of affirmation,

quality time Quality time is a sociology expression referring to a proactive interaction between individuals, set aside for paying undivided attention, usually to express love or accomplish a shared goal. Sometimes abbreviated QT, it is an informal referenc ...

, receiving gifts, acts of service, or physical touch. Chapman argues that, while each of these languages is enjoyed to some degree by all people, a person will usually speak one primary language. He argues that all five are important, but that they can be individually ranked (after answering the love language profile questions he designed for this purpose). The first of many books promoting the above concept was '' The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate'', first published in 1992. The book has sold over 11 million copies in English; having been translated into 49 other languages and the 2015 edition consistently ranks in the top 100 sellers on

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, ranking in the top 50 as of February, 2007. It also consistently ranks in the top five books on the ''New York Times'' bestsellers list, claiming the #1 spot at times. He has also authored the Five Love Language concept books for parents of children and teenagers, single adults, and a special version for men. He has co-authored ''The Five Languages of Apology'' with Dr. Jennifer Thomas, which focuses on giving and receiving apologies. Additionally, Chapman co-authored ''The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace'' with Dr. Paul White, applying the concepts to work-based relationships. Chapman travels the world presenting seminars on marriage, family, and relationships, and his radio programs air on more than 400 stations. He is married to Karolyn J. Chapman. They have two adult children, Shelley and Derek.

Scientific criticism

Chapman's model was based on his reported experience as a pastor advising couples, rather than grounded in any known scientific principles. There have been several research studies trying to evaluate Chapman's love languages framework, with mixed results. A 2022 study provided some evidence in favor of the love languages framework, while summarizing past empirical support for it as "equivocal." A recent article emphasized "a paucity of empirical work" and criticized the invalidity of the construct in several dimensions.Emily A. Impett, Haeyoung Gideon Park, and Amy Muise
Popular Psychology Through a Scientific Lens: Evaluating Love Languages From a Relationship Science Perspective
Current Directions in Psychological Science, January 12, 2024

Selected bibliography

* * * *Gary Chapman, Jennifer Thomas (2006). ''The Five Languages of Apology''. Moody. *Gary Chapman (2009). The Marriage You've Always Wanted. Paperback: 160 pages. Moody Publishers; 1 edition (July 22, 2009). .

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chapman, Gary 1938 births Living people 20th-century American male writers 20th-century Baptists 21st-century American male writers 21st-century Baptists American family and parenting writers American talk radio hosts Baptists from North Carolina Baptist writers Moody Bible Institute alumni People from China Grove, North Carolina Relationship education Wake Forest University alumni Writers from Winston-Salem, North Carolina Wheaton College (Illinois) alumni