Triangular Theory Of Love

The triangular theory of love is a model that attempts to explain how relationships work. Developed by Robert Sternberg, the theory gets its name from the identification of three components of love: intimacy (warmth, closeness, bonding), passion (sexual desire), and commitment (deciding to stay through good time and bad). There are four varying combinations of these three components that define different types of romantic relationships. There is infatuation, which is passion with no intimacy or commitment. Romantic love has intimacy and passion but no commitment. An empty love has commitment but no intimacy or passion. The final combination is consummate love which is where all three factors are present.