The love type theory, primarily referring to Robert Sternberg's triangular theory of love, proposes that different types of love are comprised of varying degrees of three key components: intimacy, passion, and commitment. These three components interact to form eight different types of love.
Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
Sternberg's theory, introduced in 1986, provides a framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of love relationships. The three components are defined as follows:
- Intimacy: Feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness in a loving relationship. It involves emotional intimacy, mutual understanding, and self-disclosure.
- Passion: The drives that lead to romance, physical attraction, sexual consummation, and related phenomena in loving relationships. It represents the "hot" component of love.
- Commitment: In the short term, the decision that one loves a certain other, and in the long term, the commitment to maintain that love. It represents the cognitive component and involves loyalty and dedication.
The Eight Types of Love
The different combinations of these components result in eight distinct types of love:
| Type of Love | Intimacy | Passion | Commitment | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-love | No | No | No | Absence of all three components. Characterizes casual interactions. |
| Liking/Friendship | Yes | No | No | Intimacy is present, leading to warmth and closeness, but there is no passion or commitment. |
| Infatuation | No | Yes | No | Characterized by passion alone; "love at first sight." Can disappear suddenly. |
| Empty Love | No | No | Yes | Commitment is present without intimacy or passion. Can occur in long-term relationships where love has faded, or in arranged marriages. |
| Romantic Love | Yes | Yes | No | Combination of intimacy and passion. Lovers are attracted physically and emotionally bonded, but without long-term commitment. |
| Companionate Love | Yes | No | Yes | Intimacy and commitment are present. Common in long-term marriages where passion has waned, but deep affection and commitment remain. |
| Fatuous Love | No | Yes | Yes | Passion and commitment are present without intimacy. A whirlwind romance and marriage based on passion, but lacking substance. |
| Consummate Love | Yes | Yes | Yes | The complete form of love, representing the ideal relationship. It combines intimacy, passion, and commitment. Maintaining this type of love is often challenging. |
Significance
Sternberg's theory provides a valuable tool for understanding and analyzing different types of relationships. It helps individuals identify the strengths and weaknesses of their own relationships and work towards achieving a more complete and fulfilling love. It is important to note that relationships can evolve and change over time, transitioning between different types of love.
