Which are the three components of Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love?

Which are the three components of Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love?

• A. Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment
• B. Intimacy, Trust, and Communication
• C. Passion, Romance, and Security
• D. Attachment, Passion, and Closeness

Answer: (A)

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love breaks love down into three components that combine in different ways to create different kinds of love. The three components are intimacy, passion, and commitment. Intimacy is the sense of closeness, sharing, and emotional bonding you feel with someone. Passion involves strong feelings of romance, physical attraction, and excitement. Commitment is the decision to stay with the partner and work toward a shared future. These components can mix to form various relationship experiences, from intimate liking (intimacy only) to consummate love (all three together). The other options mix elements that aren’t the defined trio in Sternberg’s theory—for example, trust and communication are important relationship aspects but aren’t the three components; security or attachment aren’t the terms Sternberg uses; closeness corresponds to intimacy rather than a separate component.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love breaks love down into three components that combine in different ways to create different kinds of love. The three components are intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Intimacy is the sense of closeness, sharing, and emotional bonding you feel with someone. Passion involves strong feelings of romance, physical attraction, and excitement. Commitment is the decision to stay with the partner and work toward a shared future.

These components can mix to form various relationship experiences, from intimate liking (intimacy only) to consummate love (all three together). The other options mix elements that aren’t the defined trio in Sternberg’s theory—for example, trust and communication are important relationship aspects but aren’t the three components; security or attachment aren’t the terms Sternberg uses; closeness corresponds to intimacy rather than a separate component.