Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love

When someone reflects on their social relationships in life, they may think about the those they love. According to Robert Sternberg and his Triangular Theory, there are seven forms of love, outside of nonlove, that may vary from one relationship to another and even over time in the same relationship.

That is, as people go through life, they can connect different components that would then develop into differential expressions—from merely being close friends…to lovers…and enduring life partners.

At the base of one corner is commitment—a cognitive process involving a decision to initiate or maintain a relationship. Without any further effort, the love is “empty”; the individual has simply declared that the relationship exists.

On the other corner is passion—an aroused state of positive absorption in another person. This addictive mode of attraction is often present at the beginning, under the arousing lure of physical looks, cognitive charm, or instinctual impulses.

By itself, the love is an infatuation, whereas combining passion and commitment describes a fatuous love, like a love affair.

From here, there are two sides to ascend; both are capped by intimacy—a closeness or liking th