Our Science.
Heartilo is built on three peer-reviewed psychological frameworks, each measuring a distinct dimension of romantic functioning. This page explains what we measure, why, and the research behind it.
Layer 1: Attachment Theory
Attachment theory, originally developed by John Bowlby and later extended to adult romantic relationships by Hazan & Shaver (1987) and Bartholomew & Horowitz (1991), is the strongest individual-difference predictor of relationship quality.
The Joel et al. (2020) machine learning study — analyzing 43 datasets and 11,196 couples — found that attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance rank in the top 5 predictors of relationship satisfaction, outperforming any Big Five personality trait.
We measure two continuous dimensions: attachment anxiety (fear of abandonment, need for reassurance) and attachment avoidance (discomfort with intimacy, preference for independence). These create four quadrants: Secure, Anxious-Preoccupied, Dismissive-Avoidant, and Fearful-Avoidant.
Layer 2: Big Five Personality Traits
The Big Five model (also called OCEAN or Five-Factor Model) is the most scientifically validated personality framework in existence, with over 50 years of cross-cultural research. The Heller, Watson & Ilies (2004) meta-analysis established that low Neuroticism (r = .29) and high Agreeableness (r = .29) are the strongest Big Five predictors of relationship satisfaction.
We measure all five dimensions but weight them by their relationship-prediction strength: Neuroticism (emotional reactivity), Agreeableness (empathy and cooperation), Conscientiousness (reliability), Extraversion (social energy), and Openness (adventurousness).
Layer 3: Romantic Orientation
Based on John Alan Lee's Love Attitudes Scale and the six love styles (Eros, Ludus, Storge, Pragma, Mania, Agape), we distill romantic orientation into three primary approaches: Eros (passion-led), Storge (connection-led), and Pragma (partnership-led). This layer has high face validity — users immediately recognize their dominant love approach.
How They Combine
The 12 Romantic Personality Types emerge from the intersection of attachment pattern (4 styles) × romantic orientation (3 approaches) = 12 combinations, refined by Big Five personality weighting. Each type is measured on continuous scales and presented as a categorical type for accessibility and shareability — mirroring the approach used by validated instruments that measure dimensionally but report categorically.
Key References
- 1Joel, S., et al. (2020). Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(32).
- 2Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226–244.
- 3Heller, D., Watson, D., & Ilies, R. (2004). The role of person versus situation in life satisfaction: A critical examination. Psychological Bulletin, 130(4), 574–600.
- 4Hendrick, C., & Hendrick, S. S. (1986). A theory and method of love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50(2), 392–402.
Heartilo is for educational and self-discovery purposes only. It is not a clinical diagnostic tool.