Gary Chapman (author)

Gary Chapman
Born	(1938-01-10) January 10, 1938 China Grove, North Carolina
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	American author and radio talk show host
Known for	The Five Love Languages series of books
Spouse	Karolyn J. Chapman
Children	2

Gary Demonte Chapman (born January 10, 1938) is an American author and radio talk show host. Chapman is most noted for his The Five Love Languages series regarding human relationships.

Biography

Chapman was born on January 10, 1938, in China Grove, North Carolina.

Chapman joined the staff of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1971 and shares the responsibilities of teaching and family care.

Chapman speaking at a conference in 2010.

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, 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 Amazon.com, 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.

Selected bibliography

• Gary Chapman (1992). The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. Northfield Press. ISBN 978-0736934732.
• Gary Chapman, Ross Campbell, M.D. (1997). The Five Love Languages of our Children. Moody. ISBN 1-881273-65-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Gary Chapman (2004). The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition. Northfield Press. ISBN 978-1-881273-87-5.
• Gary Chapman, Jennifer Thomas (2006). The Five Languages of Apology. Moody. ISBN 1-881273-57-1
• Gary Chapman (2009). The Marriage You've Always Wanted. Paperback: 160 pages. Moody Publishers; 1 edition (July 22, 2009). ISBN 978-0802472977.