EU112 LESSON 1

Love, Intimacy, and Relationships

Contents

1. Love, Intimacy, and Relationships

2. Triangular Theory of Love (Robert Sternberg)

3. Types of Love According to the Greeks

4. Love Languages (George Chapman)

5. Attributes of Love

6. Learning Outcome

   • By the end of this lesson, students should have the ability to:

     • LO 1.1: Differentiate the various views and attributes of love and its importance as a foundation of the family.

What is Love?

Introduction

• Love defined as:

  • Strong liking and romantic/sexual attraction (Cambridge Dictionary)

  • A choice to prioritize and commit to each other’s happiness and growth (Smith, 2025)

Nature of Love

• Profound human emotion emphasizing attraction and closeness.

• Varies based on relationships, encompassing various types of love.

Triangular Theory of Love (Robert Sternberg)

• Proposes three components of love:

  1. Intimacy - strength of the bond that binds couple together

  2. Passion - romantic feelings, physical attraction, and sexual intimacy

  3. Decision/Commitment - acknowledging that one is in love and committed to maintaining the relationship.

Interaction of Components

• Components create different kinds of love experiences:

  1. Empty Love - commitment

  2. Liking - intimacy

  3. Infatuation - passion

  4. Companionate - commitment + intimacy

  5. Romantic - intimacy + passion

  6. Fatuous - passion + commitment

  7. Consummate - intimacy + passion + commitment

Types of Love According to the Greeks

1. Eros (SEXUAL passion)

2. Philia (deep FRIENDSHIP)

3. Ludus (PLAYFUL love)

4. Agape (love for EVERYONE)

5. Pragma (LONGSTANDING love)

6. Philautia (love of the SELF)

7. Storge (FAMILY love)

8. Mania (OBSESSIVE love)

Love Languages (George Chapman)

1. Words of Affirmation

2. Acts of Service

3. Gifts

4. Quality Time

5. Physical Touch