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Attachment Style and Relationships

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Attachment Style and Relationships
Part I
Robert Sternberg created a theory called the triangular theory of love. This theory is based on three dimensions called passion, intimacy, and commitment. Passion is what motivates a person to pursue someone he or she is attracted too. This motivation is a component of love attraction, romance, and sexual desire. When I think about the word intimacy it makes me think of two people close to each other. I imagine two people loving and caring for each other. These two individuals also trust each other not because they have to but because they want to. Intimacy is not something that can be forced. Commitment in my mind is a decision. It is the choice one makes to stay in a relationship. An example of a commitment would be wedding vows. I believe all three dimensions are needed to fulfill a loving and lasting relationship. Passion is what drives two individuals together. This is what starts the “getting close” step of the relationship. As the two people get to know each other they begin to get close to each other. This closeness is known as intimacy. These two individuals have complete trust in each other and can openly tell each other what they are feeling. These steps then lead to commitment. The two individuals have grown close enough to each other that they are now ready to commit themselves to each other.
Sternberg’s triangular theory of love forms other types of love relationships. There are seven different types of love relationships. These types of love are known as liking, infatuated, romantic, empty, companionate, fatuous, and consummate. Depending on how much passion, intimacy, and commitment there is in the relationship is the type of love relationship you will have. The lowest level type of love relationships is the liking love. This best describes a best friend. It has low passion and

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