...A Triangular Theory of Love This article presents a triangular theory of love. According to the theory, love has three components: (a) intimacy, which encompasses the feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness one experiences in loving relationships; (b) passion, which encompasses the drives that lead to romance, physical attraction, and sexual consummation; and (c) decision/commitment, which encompasses, in the short term, the decision that one loves another, and in the long term, the commitment to maintain that love. The amount of love one experiences depends on the absolute strength of these three components, and the kind of love one experiences depends on their strengths relative to each other. The three components interact with each other and with the actions that they produce and that produce them so as to form a number of different kinds of loving experiences. The triangular theory of love subsumes certain other theories and can account for a number of empirical findings in the research literature, as well as for a number of experiences with which many are familiar firsthand. It is proposed that the triangular theory provides a rather comprehensive basis for understanding many aspects of the love that underlies close relationships. What does it mean "to love" someone? Does it always mean the same thing, and if not, in what ways do loves differ from each other? Why do certain loves seem to last, whereas others disappear almost as quickly as they are formed...
Words: 847 - Pages: 4
...support why I believe singlehood is seldom a choice but more of a response to circumstances that do not offer the opportunity for another alternative like marriage. This thought is also supported by Buambusch J. L. (2004, p 9)) when it says that none of the participants had consciously chosen single life; this is demonstrated in their short term plans in anticipation of future marriage. The theories that will be examined in this paper are the Sternberg’s typology of love and connectedness, theories of interpersonal attraction and attachment styles in intimate relationships. Psychologist Robert Sternberg (1988) created his influential triangular theory of love. He believed that different types of love (liking, infatuated love, empty love, romantic love, companionate love, fatuous love and consummate love) arise from different combinations of three basic components, namely intimacy, passion and commitment. Coon and Mitterer, (2010). If a person has been in numerous relationships and has never felt that he or she has achieved a proper combination of the three components that give rise to consummate love, they might be discouraged and opt to be single for the rest of their lives. “But I think I never trusted the fact that maybe I...
Words: 1413 - Pages: 6
...In Adulthood : Daniel Levinson Intimacy Vs Isolation: Erik Erikson Relationship Development: Bernard Mursntein Triangular Theory Of Love: Robert Sternberg Selecting A Partner Marriage Conflict Divorce UNIT 4 EARLY ADULTHOOD PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT Career Choose And Embarking On Career Identity During Young Adulthood Career Development Holland’s Theory Ginzberg’s theory Gender And Career Choice Why People Work Career Transition Learning Unit Objectives Development Across the Lifespan Discuss about the personality development of early adulthood. Explain Social clock: Ravena Helson, Social and PD in adulthood : Daniel Levinson, Intimacy vs Isolation: Erik Erikson, Relationship development: Bernard Mursntein and Triangular Theory of Love: Robert Sternberg Discuss on issues about selecting a Partner as well as Marriage, Conflict in marriage and divorce Discuss issues related to Career. What makes people happy? Money? Materials? Objects? According to research, happiness in young adulthood is usually derived from feelings of independence, competence, or self-esteem (Sheldon et al, 2001). Therefore, the components of happiness: Fulfillment of psychological needs. Building relationships in Early Adulthood: Liking and Loving During early adulthood, romance, love, marriage and children are often the focus of life. The development and course of relationships are emphasized. Having children...
Words: 4800 - Pages: 20
...The triangular theory of love is a theory developed by psychologist, Robert Sternberg. Passion, commitment, and intimacy are the three main components of love and the different type of love that these three combinations can produce. Passion is the physical aspect of love. Passion refers to the emotional and sexual arousal a person feels toward the other person. Passion is not simple sex; holding hands, loving looks, and hugs can all be forms of passion (Taylor, Peplau, Sears, 2006). Commitment involves the decisions one makes about a relationship. A short-term decision might be, “I think I’m in love” and long-term decision is, “I want to be with this person for the rest of my life” (Taylor, Peplau, Sears, 2006). Intimacy in Sternberg’s view refers to the feeling of closeness that one has for another person or the sense of having close emotional ties to another. Intimacy in this sense is not physical but psychological. Friends have an intimate relationship because they reveal things to each other that most people might not know, they feel strong emotional ties to each other, and they enjoy the company of the other person (Taylor, Peplau, Sears, 2006). A love relationship between two people can involve one, two, or all three of these components in various combinations. The combinations can produce seven different forms of love: Combinations of passion, commitment, intimacy Passion Commitment Intimacy ...
Words: 571 - Pages: 3
...Power of Love and Relationships Ashford University Psychology 301 Professor Michelle A. Abstract “We tend to like those who are similar to us in values and interests rather than those who are different. We prefer to not over benefit or under benefit in a relationship, but have a relationship characterized by equity. We also tend to like those who like us and only us” (Feenstra, 2013). In this paper I will describe the factors of attractions and what attracts us to one another. Also I will discuss why we are likely to befriend someone from another culture than someone from a similar background with a similar physical aesthetic. The human need to build bonds and relationships will also be discussed. If we have an innate need to belong, the attachment to our emotions, social bonds, and our fear of deprivation will be outlined. I will also explain the three types of love and describe the differences and similarities between them. Sternberg’s triangular theory of love will be discussed as well. Power of Love and Relationships In life we cross many people and our interaction and relationship differs every time. Feenstra states that first-year students were more likely to develop a friendship with someone they sat next to during an introductory session than those they were not sitting near (Feenstra, 2013). This is true as I have witnessed when I was a student on campus. I tended to gravitate towards those who were in my class. “The most important factor in our liking...
Words: 1243 - Pages: 5
...Relationships Part 1 Robert Sternberg’s triangular theory of love is based on three dimensions: passion, intimacy, and commitment. In Sternberg’s model passion, intimacy, and commitment each represent one side of a triangle describing the love shared by two people. Passion means strong emotion, excitement, and physiological arousal, often tied to sexual desire and attraction. Intimacy refers to mutual understanding, warm affection, and mutual concern for the other person’s welfare. Commitment is the conscious decision to stay in a relationship for the long haul. By putting together different combinations of the three ingredients, Sternberg’s model describes several varieties of love and the specific components of romantic and companionate love (Baumgardner and Crothers, 2009). Romantic love is a combination of intimacy and passion. It is more than infatuation, its liking with the added excitement of physical attraction but without commitment. Companionate love is slow-developing love built on high intimacy and a strong commitment. When youthful passions fade in a marriage, companionate love, based on deep, affectionate friendship provides a solid foundation for a lasting and successful relationship. Fatuous love combines high passion and commitment with the absence of intimacy. The commitment is based on passion and sustained solely by passion. Infatuated love is based only on passion, without intimacy or commitment. Empty love has no passion or intimacy, just a commitment...
Words: 1306 - Pages: 6
...1. According to a recent survey, ______ of Americans report having people in their lives they can trust and turn to for support. A. only about half B. 60 percent C. 75 percent D. almost all 2. Which of the following makes it more likely that two people will develop a romantic relationship? A. proximity B. having different opinions and attitudes C. differing physical characteristics such as age and attractiveness D. differing levels of educational attainment 3. Which of the following means standing up for yourself without violating the rights of others? A. aggressiveness B. assertiveness C. passiveness D. companionship 4. According to Deborah Tannen (“That’s Not What I Meant; You Just Don’t Understand, et al.), men are more likely than women to use communication to A. compete. B. connect. C. create intimacy. D. look for common ground. 5. Which of the following is typically characteristic of men rather than women, according to the gender differences in communication found by Deborah Tannen? A. Men tend to believe a question is not simply a question but the opening for a negotiation. B. Men tend to believe the goal is to “fix” the problem being communicated. C. Men tend to appreciate discussion as evidence of involvement. D. Men are inclined to do what is asked of them. 6. One’s biological status as a male or female, usually established...
Words: 847 - Pages: 4
...regarding behavior are cited in the textbook? Chapter 12: Social Psychology Answer the following questions: • Define social psychology. • What is the relationship between self-disclosure and attraction? Apply to an example. • Define self-fulfilling prophecy and apply to an example. • Define dispositional and situational attributions and define their relationship to internal and external attributions. • Define the fundamental attribution error and apply to an example. • Define cognitive dissonance and apply to an example. • Compare the central and peripheral routes to attitude change or persuasion and apply to an example. • Define the types of love according to Sternberg and apply to examples. o Nonlove o Companionate love o Infatuation o Liking o Empty love o Romantic love o Fatuous love o Consummate love • Which...
Words: 492 - Pages: 2
...1) January 2013 Examine the defining characteristics of Situation Ethics (21) Situation ethics is an ethical theory pioneered by Joseph Fletcher in the 1960's, a time in which society and the church were facing drastic change. It is an idealistic, teleological, consequentialist theory that resolves ethical and moral issues relative to the situation. In contrast to utilitarianism, Situation ethics is based on Christian principles and primarily the promotion of agape. Fletcher's liberal, less rule based theory is based on one absolute law, which when applied properly, handles every situation. Subsequently, Fletcher rejects the deontological view of 'right and wrong' decisions in a situation and believes that ethical decisions should follow flexible guidelines rather than absolute rules. Situation ethics developed in the 1960's, a time of social, cultural and moral change in the Western countries. After the Second World War, the post war generation threw off the shackles of paternalism, authority plus the law and government. Sexual liberation advanced as methods of contraception became freely available and more reliable. The introduction of the contraceptive pill allowed women to express their new individualism and freedom. Many people began to turn away from the church and blamed factors such as "Greater independence; more money.the weakening of family bonds and religious influences; the development of earlier maturity, physically, emotionally and mentally; the impact of modern...
Words: 1058 - Pages: 5
...Practical Philosophy November 2001 Plato’s theory of Love: Rationality as Passion Lydia Amir 'I … profess to understand nothing but matters of love.' Socrates in Plato’s Symposium. times, when due to their education and to political changes, women earned the right to love and to be loved as equals to men. When one dispels these misunderstandings related to the popular notion of Platonic love, one finds a great richness and depth in Plato’s theory of love. In explaining why love is so important to us and yet why it fails us so often, Plato’s view of love seems applicable to our time. It is common knowledge that a very high rate of divorce threatens our marriages. We expect a lot from the sexual passion we call love, but usually end up disappointed when the romance goes away. Yet we keep getting married, thinking that we are going to be the ones that will beat the system. If we fail, we change our partner and try again. We end up our love life as we began it, confused, afraid and as disappointed as we were hopeful. The malaise that characterises our love lives naturally finds its way to the philosophical consulting room. In this paper I shall attempt to show how Plato’s view of love can be helpful both in dispelling our confusion about love and in proposing some solutions to our suffering. A comprehensive account of Plato’s complex theory of love, an exhaustive presentation of the controversies involved in interpreting it or a thorough discussion of the problems it creates...
Words: 7450 - Pages: 30
...Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Group B Psychology 405 April 28, 2015 Professor Dennis Daugherty Humanistic and Existential Personality Theories Existential and Humanistic Psychology emerged as many theorists found traditionally held beliefs about people and personality, such as behaviorism and psychoanalysis, to be limiting. Humanistic Psychology is based on the idea that people are always striving to be their best self, or to become their whole self (Ryback, 2011). Existential Psychology is based on the idea that people are moved into action by the search for meaning in life (Feist & Feist, 2009). Though the goals of the two disciplines differ, the method of achieving those aims are the same; people are responsible for their outcomes, and achieve their ultimate goals through free will and personal responsibility. How Humanistic and Existential Theories Affect Individual Personalities The foundation of Humanistic theory is rooted in the belief that individuals are innately good and all mental and social issues are a deviation of the innate goodness caused by society. Humanistic therapies treat individuals from a holistic perspective; particular attention is given to phenomenon such as free will and human potential. Humanistic theory developed as an alternative to psychoanalysis and behaviorism. Psychologists such as Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and others met to discuss developing an organization with a more humanist...
Words: 1225 - Pages: 5
...5E N° 13 Love matters ‘All you need is love’, The Beatles once said and I couldn’t agree more. Everybody needs love whether it’s from your parents, your friends or your girl/boyfriend. Love is all around and comes I different forms. First of all I’m going to talk about my definition of love and what I look for in a relationship. I don’t want a serious relationship, I’m a teenager. I want someone who I can act like a complete fool around, I want someone who I can spend hours just talking about the most pointless things. I want someone who makes me laugh and who I can plan stupid things with that will never happen. Because I’m sick of seeing these movies with the girl falling in love with a perfect boy. Who wants perfect? I want adventure, I want someone I can tell my secrets too and waste my weekend with and act like we’re 5 years old again. I wanna have fun. Love can be the worst thing in the world and still feel amazing at the same time. I just want someone who loves me for me and who doesn’t judge me for who I am. The same way like I would love him for him and won’t judge him either. Secondly does a world without love exist? The answer is no, there isn’t a world without love, in all grades, positions and cultures there is love. How love is experienced, there are some differences but love is all around. That has to be a comforting (or scary) thought but it’s not always the love of one person to another. Love comes in many forms, from ‘ I love to read’ to ‘ I love God’. When...
Words: 592 - Pages: 3
...Bianca Riley Motivation Theories Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory- According to our text, in 1943, Abraham Maslow published his need hierarch theory of motivation. ( Kreitner & Kinicki, 2013, p. 207). He believed that people had different levels of needs that would eventually lead to self-actualization. Maslow constructed these needs into a pyramid, going from the bottom to the top; the bottom, being the basic needs and the top, being the highest, self-actualization. His belief was the next level of need would only be activated by the prior step being fulfilled. The first step: physiological is the most basic: * Air- everyone needs air to breathe, obviously this the most important need otherwise there would be no coexisting being on our planet. * Water- to quench ones thirst, helps people bathe and smell fresh. A person’s body odor can definitely hinder them from going to the next level or being near other people period. * Food- nourishment for our bodies helps with energy and aids our immune system to fight off infections and illnesses, and any other essentials needed to survive. In the work force, some of the basic needs would include: air conditioning, salary and any other basic necessities that would motivate a person to go to work every day. Once physiological needs are met, one can now exceed to safety. The second step: safety is security from physical and mental harm. In the work force, that would include ones job being position and wage...
Words: 1445 - Pages: 6
...Platonic Love In the Symposium, which is normally dated at the beginning of the middle period, Plato introduces his theory of love. First thing to note is that in Plato’s theory, love is given and its existence is not questioned. The word love leaves the matter ambiguous as to whether we are discussing love in the normal, human, sense of the word, or if we are discussing desire in a much broader sense, but in this discussion we are only considering only love of type eros, love as a kind of desire that exists between two human beings. Symposium, is a dialogue by Plato, about a dinner party in honor of the tragedian Agathon, after they have finished eating Phaedrus suggests that each person in turn should make a speech about the praise of god of love. Symposium not only gives us theory of Forms in Diotima's discussion of the Form of Beauty, but it also gives us a number of varying perspectives on love. One more important thing to consider is that Diotima is not known to be a historical figure, and the way in which she is introduced suggests that she is almost certainly just a literary device developed by Plato to express his own ideas. In this theory, we see Plato rejecting the romanticization of sexual love, valuing above all an asexual and all-consuming passion for wisdom and beauty. Plato clearly regards actual physical or sexual contact between lovers as degraded and wasteful forms of erotic expression. Because the true goal of eros is real beauty and real beauty is...
Words: 1142 - Pages: 5
...Marissa Letz PSY 102 (1) December 1, 2011 Mr. Broder Differences between Liking and Loving Liking and loving are interesting emotions. Every person in the world has liking and loving as an emotion. Love is defined as an intense feeling of strong liking or affection for some specific thing or person (Reber, 1985). Liking is defined as a feeling of attraction or fondness for a thing or person. People long for relationships with other people. Most movies, books, and magazine articles are based on liking or loving another person, thing, or animal. Nothing seems to be more important to a person than having a relationship with someone else. Because liking and loving are such major social subjects it has been a focus for many social psychologists. The name of the study of liking and loving is called interpersonal attraction. Interpersonal attraction means a positive feeling for another person (Bailey & Gustavo, 1989). There are many theories to liking and love, but because they are such complex thoughts and feelings they are hard to explain, describe, and understand (“Theories of love”, n. d.). According to social psychologists there are three aspects that determine whether someone likes a person. Psychologist say proximity has to do with liking someone. Therefore, people that live or used to live in the same area have a better chance of becoming friends. Proximity leads to liking. Also, repeated exposure to any person leads to liking them. Exposure to any person...
Words: 1157 - Pages: 5
