The triangular theory of love characterizes love in an interpersonal relationship on three different scales: intimacy, passion and commitment. It was developed by Robert Sternberg. Different stages and types of love can be explained as different combinations of the three elements, intimacy, passion and commitment. Sternberg states that a relationship based on a single element is less likely to survive than one based on two or more. A cartoonish version of the heart, a frequent modern symbol of love Love has several different meanings in the English language, from something that gives a little pleasure (I loved that meal) to something for which one would die (patriotism, pair-bonding). ... This article is in need of attention. ... Robert J. Sternberg (8 December 1949-) is the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University and is the former IBM Professor of Psychology and Education at Yale University. ... Emotional intimacy is a dimension of interpersonal intimacy which varies in degree, much like Physical intimacy. ... In psychology and common terminology, emotion is the language of a persons internal state of being, normally based in or tied to their internal (physical) and external (social) sensory feeling. ... Look up commitment in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Forms of romantic love

Combinations of intimacy, passion, and commitment

	intimacy	passion	commitment
Liking or friendship	x
Infatuation or limerence		x
Empty love			x
Romantic love	x	x
Companionate love	x		x
Fatuous love		x	x
Consummate love	x	x	x

The relative emphasis of each component changes over time as an adult romantic relationship develops. The word like may be the only word in English that can be a noun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction, hedge, and quotative. ... Friendship is a human relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection. ... Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from the revision dated 2005-04-29, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... Romantic love is a form of love that is often regarded as different from mere needs driven by sexual desire, or lust. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (919x689, 46 KB) Summary Author: Libb Thims Self-made diagram (using MS Word) based on Steinbergs triangular theory of love Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

1. Liking includes only one of the love components - intimacy. In this case, liking is not used in a trivial sense. Sternberg says that this intimate liking characterizes true friendships, in which a person feels a bondedness, a warmth, and a closeness with another but not intense passion or long-term commitment.
2. Infatuated love consists solely of passion and is often what is felt as "love at first sight." But without the intimacy and the commitment components of love, infatuated love may disappear suddenly.
3. Empty love consists of the commitment component without intimacy or passion. Sometimes, a stronger love deteriorates into empty love, in which the commitment remains, but the intimacy and passion have died. In cultures in which arranged marriages are common, relationships often begin as empty love.
4. Romantic love is a combination of intimacy and passion. Romantic lovers are bonded emotionally (as in liking) and physically through passionate arousal.
5. Companionate love consists of intimacy and commitment. This type of love is often found in marriages in which the passion has gone out of the relationship, but a deep affection and commitment remain.
6. Fatuous love has the passion and the commitment components but not the intimacy component. This type of love can be exemplified by a whirlwind courtship and marriage in which a commitment is motivated largely by passion, without the stabilizing influence of intimacy.
7. Consummate love is the only type of love that includes all three components--intimacy, passion and commitment. Consummate love is the most complete form of love, and it represents the ideal love relationship for which many people strive but which apparently few achieve. Sternberg cautions that maintaining a consummate love may be even harder than achieving it. He stresses the importance of translating the components of love into action. "Without expression," he warns, "even the greatest of loves can die" (1987, p.341).

Companionate love

Companionate love is a form of love that combines friendship and commitment. Companionate love is generally a personal relation you build with somebody you share your life with, but with no sexual or physical desire. It is stronger than friendship because of the extra element of commitment. The love ideally shared between family members is a form of companionate love, as is the love between deep friends or those who spend a lot of time together in any asexual but friendly relationship. A cartoonish version of the heart, a frequent modern symbol of love Love has several different meanings in the English language, from something that gives a little pleasure (I loved that meal) to something for which one would die (patriotism, pair-bonding). ... Friendship is a human relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection. ... Look up commitment in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The word lust means sexual desire (this meaning is sometimes metaphorically extended to other forms of desire, e. ...

Consummate love

Consummate love is the most complete type of love experienced in interpersonal relationships, the three major components: intimacy, passion and commitment, are all present and balanced.

Consummate love may not be permanent. For example, if passion is lost over time, it may change into companionate love.

See also

• Love

A cartoonish version of the heart, a frequent modern symbol of love Love has several different meanings in the English language, from something that gives a little pleasure (I loved that meal) to something for which one would die (patriotism, pair-bonding). ...

References

• Sternberg, R. J. (1986) A triangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93, 119-135.
• Sternberg, R. J. (1988) The Triangle of Love: Intimacy, Passion, Commitment, Basic Books (ISBN 0465087469)...