ROBERT STERNBERG

Robert Sternberg

Born: DEC 8, 1949 - Newark, New Jersey, U.S.

Theory: Triangular theory of love

American Psychologist & Psychometrician

Sternberg's Background in Psychology

- suffered from test anxiety, which made him an inadequate test taker- later developed his very first intelligence test, the Sternberg Test of Mental Ability (STOMA)

Contributions to Psychology:

• Triachic Theory of Intellegence

• Triangular Theory of Love

Triachic Theory of Intellegence

- the focus of specific type of measurable mental abilities (e.g. vocabulary, comprehension, memory, and problem-solving) is too narrow on describing intelligence

- according to him, giftedness should be examined in a broader way incorporating other parts of intelligence

3 parts of Triachic Theory of Intellegence:

1. Analytical intelligence

2. Creative or synthetic intelligence

3. Practical intelligence

Analytical intelligence

- ability to complete academic, problem-solving tasks, such as those used in traditional intelligence tests

- these types of tasks usually present well- defined problems that have only a single correct answer

Creative or synthetic intelligence

- ability to successfully deal with new and unusual situations by drawing on existing knowledge and skills

- individuals high in creative intelligence may give 'wrong' answers because they see things from a different perspective

Practical intelligence

- the ability to adapt to everyday life by drawing on existing knowledge and skills

- enables an individual to understand what needs to be done in a specific setting and then do it

3 components of triangular love theory:

1. Intimacy - closeness, connectedness, and bondedness

2. Passion - desires that lead to physical attraction, romance, and sexual consummation

3. Commitment - remaining with someone and moving toward shared goals

(three components of love interact in a systematic manner that create) 7 types of love:

1. Liking (intimacy alone)

2. Infatuation (passion alone)

3. Empty Love (commitment alone)

4. Romantic Love (intimacy & passion)

5. Companionate Love ( intimacy & commitment)

6. Fatuous Love (passion & commitment)

7. Consummate Love (intimacy, passion, & commitment)