ROBERT STERNBERG

Robert Sternberg

An American psychometrician and psychologist known for his theories on love, intelligence, and creativity.

Triangular Theory of Love

A theory that describes love in terms of three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Intimacy

Emotional closeness, connection, and bond between partners.

Passion

Physical attraction and romantic or sexual desire in a relationship.

Decision/Commitment

The decision to stay together and maintain a relationship long-term.

Friendship or Liking

A type of love involving deep liking and emotional closeness, but lacking passion and romantic commitment.

Infatuation

A type of love characterized by intense physical attraction without intimacy or commitment.

Empty Love

A type of love where commitment exists, but passion and intimacy are missing.

Romantic Love

Love that has a deep emotional and physical bond, but lacks long-term commitment.

Companionate Love

A type of love characterized by intimacy and commitment, but lacking passion.

Fatuous Love

A type of love where passion drives commitment, but lacks emotional closeness.

Consummate Love

The ideal form of love combining intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Sternberg's theory significance

Helps in understanding how different types of love can affect relationships and navigate love in modern society.

American Psychological Association

An organization that Sternberg served as President in 2003.

Heidelberg University, Germany

The university where Sternberg is an Honorary Professor of Psychology.

Age of Robert Sternberg

74 years old, born on December 9, 1949.

Change in perception of love

Sternberg’s theory gives insight into how love types can be perceived differently in contemporary society.

Long-term relationships

Relationships where commitment exists, which may lack intimacy or passion over time.

Types of love

Different forms of love identified by Sternberg, ranging from infatuation to consummate love.

Role of technology in relationships

Sternberg’s theory is particularly relevant today as online interactions shape how relationships are formed.

Relationship evolution

The process through which the balance of intimacy, passion, and commitment shifts over time in relationships.