Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Love

liking

intimacy

romantic love

passion + intimacy

companionate

intimacy + commitment

infatuation

passion

fatuous love

passion + commitment

empty love

commitment

liking

sense of closeness is present

liking

other person knows them well and can be honest with them and let them know if they think the person is wrong

liking

friends

infatuation

Sternberg's version of "love at first sight"

infatuation

immediate, intense physical attraction to someone

infatuation

person who is infatuated finds it hard to think of anything but the other person

infatuation

there may be a rather constant state of arousal

infatuation

short-lived, only lasting a matter of months or a year or so

infatuation

based on phys attraction and an image of what one "thinks" the other is all about

fatuous love

people who have a strong physical attraction push for commitment early in the relationship

fatuous love

no intimacy and the commitment is premature

fatuous love

Partners rarely talk seriously or share their ideas

fatuous love

focus on their intense physical attraction + talking of making a lasting commitment

commitment

in fatuous love, talking about ________ is out of a sense of insecurity

commitment

in fatuous love, talking about ________ is due to a desire to make sure the partner is locked into the relationship

empty love

found later in a relationship

empty love

relationship that was formed to meet needs other than intimacy or passion

empty love

relationship due to financial needs, childrearing assistance, or attaining/maintaining status

empty love

do not share ideas or feelings with each other and have no physical attraction for one another

romantic love

partners spend much time with one another and enjoy their closeness, but no plans to continue

romantic love

no position to make commitment / fear of rs dying out if they commit and focus on other kinds of obligations

companionate love

Partners love and respect one-another

companionate love

physical attraction may have never been strong or may have just died out over time

companionate love

good friends and committed to one another

consummate love

often perceived by western cultures as "the ideal" type of love

consummate love

spark has not died, and the closeness is there

consummate love

feel like best friends, as well as lovers, and they are committed to staying together

Passion

component of love:

intense, physical attraction partners feel toward one another

Intimacy

component of love:

ability the share feelings, psychological closeness and personal thoughts with the other

Commitment

component of love:

the conscious decision to stay together

Passion

component of love:

found in the early stages of a relationship

Intimacy

component of love:

takes time to develop due to it being based on knowledge of partner