Triangular theory of love

The triangular theory of love is a theory of love developed by Robert Sternberg. In the context of interpersonal relationships, "the three components of love, according to the triangular theory, are an intimacy component, a passion component, and a commitment component."

Sternberg says that intimacy refers to "feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness in loving relationships," passion refers to "the drives that lead to romance, physical attraction, sexual consummation, and related phenomena in loving relationships" and decision/commitment means different things in the short and long term. In the short-term, it refers to "the decision that one loves a certain other", and in the long-term, it refers to "one's commitment to maintain that love."

Different stages and types of love can be explained as different combinations of these three elements; for example, the relative emphasis of each component changes over time as an adult romantic relationship develops. A relationship based on a single element is less likely to survive than one based on two or three elements. "The amount of love one experiences depends on the absolute strength of these three components, and the type of love one experiences depends on their strengths relative to each other."

The three components of love as described in the theory are as follows:

Intimacy is the attachment and bonding component in the model. This type of relationship is associated with connection and understanding.

Intimacy is primarily defined as something of a personal or private nature; familiarity.

Passion is the drive and excitement component in the model. This type of relationship is associated with romance and sexual desire.

Passion is primarily defined as a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.