Robert Sternberg's Theory: The Triangular Theory Of Love

The Triangular Theory Of Love was developed by Robert Sternburg and his associates. According to the theory, love has three essential elements. They are intimacy, passion, and commitment. He uses a triangle to explain his theory. The interaction of these three elements produce eight types of love. Sternburg says a love based on one component is less likely to survive then one that is based on two or more.So let’s go over the eight types. The first type is Nonlove, which lacks all three elements. There is no intimacy, passion or commitment. “You aint aint much fun since I quit drinking” by Toby Keith, describes a man who feels no love. He has to clean, and take care of the house. He does not feel any intimacy, passion, or commitment. Therefore

Infatuated love is just that. It has passion and can be very intense. But without commitment or intimacy it often does not last long. Reading the lyrics to Fabolous, Can’t let you go, describes an infatuation with a girl other than wifey. They both know they are wrong, yet they can’t stop. It lacks, commitment and intimacy. Moving along in Sternberg's theory, next is Companionate love. Intimacy and commitment are apart of this triangle. This kind of love can be with friends, family and in a marriage. One a marriage loses the spark to the fire, they can continue to have a bond and are committed to one another. Celine Dion’s song Because you loved me, illustrates this love. For all the times they shared, she was better because he loved her. Although passion is absent, according to Sternberg, this love has a chance since it contains two or more elements. With intimacy and compassion, there is Romantic love, which consists of intimacy and passion. There is no commitment. These lovers are have the closeness and share a bond. They also have deep feelings for the other. Commitment is absent. Frank Sinatra, Under my skin, say’s I’ve got you under my skin I’ve got you deep in my heart So deep in my heart that you're apart of me. This really explains the intimacy and compassion that one share’s with this kind of