The triangular theory of love, developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Robert Sternberg puts forth a viable theory on the concept of love. His theory suggests that people can have varying degrees of intimacy, passion, and commitment at any one moment in time.

In doctor's Sternberg's theory, the concept of love is introduced as a love triangle that is made up of three components:

Intimacy, which involves feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness
Passion, which involves feelings and desires that lead to physical attraction, romance, and sexual consummation
Decision/Commitment, which are feelings that lead a person to remain with someone and move toward shared goals

The three components of love interact in a systemic manner, working off of one another. The presence of a component of love and a combination of two or more components create seven kinds of experiences. These types of love may vary over the course of a relationship as well. They are: friendship, infatuation, empty love, companionate love, fatuous love, consummate love, and romantic love, the latter which bonds people emotionally through intimacy and physical passion. Partners in this type of relationship have deep conversations that help them know intimate details about each other. They enjoy a sexual passion and affection. these couples may be at the point where long-term commitment or future plans are still undecided.

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2 years ago