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Theories and Concepts

Triangular Theory of Love

Social Psychology

The triangular theory of love, developed by Robert Sternberg, holds that love in interpersonal relationships is made up of three components: intimacy, passion and commitment. Sternberg described intimacy as feelings of closeness, connectedness and bondedness, passion as the drives leading to romance, physical attraction and sexual consummation, and commitment as, in the short term, the decision that one loves another person and, in the long term, one's commitment to maintain that love. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Core Claim
Love has three components, intimacy, passion and commitment, and which of the three are present, and how strongly, determines what kind of love a relationship has. 1
Origin Year
1986 2
Connections

Developed By

Source Wikipedia: Triangular Theory of Love
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Triangular Theory of Love
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Introduction
    the three components of love, according to the triangular theory, are an intimacy component, a passion component, and a commitment component
  • Introduction, three components
    the three components of love, according to the triangular theory, are an intimacy component, a passion component, and a commitment component
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2. EBSCO Research Starters: Triangular Theory of Love
Overview, opening paragraph
Quote, Overview, opening paragraph
First presented in 1986 by psychologist Robert J. Sternberg, the triangular theory of love attempts to identify the three key components that make up the concept of love itself.
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