From the Ancient Greeks to the six forms of love theory of the present, philosophers there have been a variety of perspectives on love throughout history. The Triangular Theory of Love is one that is widely known. With his Triangular Theory of Love, Robert Sternberg, a professor of human development at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology and an honorary professor at Heidelberg University in Germany, has recently made a contribution to the topic. While conducting research and lecturing at various places Sternberg created the Triangular Theory of Love. You can learn more about 11 punches for an effective healthier relationship, besides commitment, and intimacy. 

The Triangle Approach to Love

Sternberg's theory of love states that there are three elements to love, which can be arranged in a triangle. The three elements are intimacy, which is defined as a sense of closeness and security; passion, which is defined as a romantic attraction and sexual desire; and commitment, which is defined as a desire to dedicate oneself to a certain person and make life plans with them. According to Sternberg, Consummate Love is the highest and most full form of love, and each of these three ideas influences it. Other varieties of love, such as friendship, infatuation, and romantic love, may result when only one or two elements of the types of love are taken into consideration.

Intimacy

According to the philosophy of love, intimacy refers to the close-knit relationship between two people. People who experience intense love frequently share a close emotional and intellectual connection. When two people are in an intimate relationship, they frequently feel relaxed and unnerved near one another.

Passion

In the philosophy of love, the term "passion" is used to describe physical, emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction. People frequently feel physically aroused when passion is at play, and they could experience a good bodily sensation when they are near the person they love. Additionally, individuals may experience powerful emotions—both good and bad—as they navigate the relationship and feel particularly joyful, enthusiastic, or other similar phenomena around their partner.

Commitment

According to the notion of love, commitment is the conscious choice to remain with a partner while formulating long-term plans for their mutual achievement and happiness. Promises to carry out specific tasks, like walking the dog every morning, promises to be faithful, like a marriage proposal, or a more casual promise of love and exclusivity are all examples of commitment.

Theory of Passion vs. Compassion

There is a frequent conflation between passion and compassion when talking about the various kinds of love according to Sternberg's theory. Passionate love is marked by high emotions and great sexual desire, and it typically but not always occurs at the start of a relationship. People typically refer to "falling in love" as an intense, whirlwind-like feeling that they have experienced throughout a passionate love. On the other hand, compassion is defined by intense affection, stability, and a sense of being at ease in the relationship and typically comes after passion. Relationships generally start with passion, but compassion makes them last even when the first intense flame fades.

The Triangular Theory of Love's Forms of Love

There are many sub-types that result from various combinations of the three elements of love in addition to the major ideas of Sternberg's triangular theory of love. Each of these personalities is assigned a spot on the love triangle by Sternberg. The final kind of love, known as consummate love, sits in the middle of the triangle of love and is regarded as the purest kind.

Non-Love

According to the notion of love, the lack of a loving relationship is referred to as non-love. There are no elements from Sternberg's triangular theory of love in it. There is no meaningful bond between individuals and no enduring relationship in non-love.

Friendship

In the theory of love, friendship contains the intimacy point but excludes passion or commitment. Although intimacy with friends is frequently less intense than intimacy with other triangle points, it can occasionally be just as passionate as other types of love. In addition to intimate friendships, the term "friendship" can also refer to new connections as well as more informal relationships with acquaintances.

Infatuation

According to the notion of love, infatuation includes the triangle's passion point but excludes intimacy and commitment. Love that isn't returned, love at first sight, or other extremely powerful sentiments that arise at the beginning of a relationship when the love is still developing are all examples of infatuated love. Most people need to evolve past infatuation and develop deeper love that encompasses other points of the triangle in order to enter a long-term relationship. Once the first flame of desire has died, the relationship may end if intimacy and commitment are never built.

Vacuous Love

According to the idea of love, empty love comprises the triangle's commitment point but lacks the passion or closeness that other types of love possess. A relationship where both partners agree to commit to one another but have no intense or intimate feelings for one another is known as "empty love." An example of this would be an arranged marriage. Empty love may also refer to a marriage or relationship in which the passion and intimacy have gradually waned but both partners continue to express their devotion to one another by cohabitating, having children, or working on other shared endeavors. It’s usual for passion and intimacy to come and go over the course of long-term partnerships, and in these situations, the commitment of empty love may be the foundation that keeps a relationship going until passion and closeness can grow again.

Sacred Love

In the notion of love, romantic love combines the qualities of passion and closeness but excludes commitment. Romantic love can refer to a causal relationship in which neither partner has fully committed, an affair in which one partner has already committed to another, or even just a brief fling or one-night stand where partners become emotionally and physically close but aren't yet ready to commit to one another. In the event, there is an absence of passion, commitment, and intimacy it calls for the challenge, learn 10 signs that you are in a difficult relationship, and consult a couple or Relationship Counsellor online.

An Online Counsellor can offer a solution-focused approach that allows you to explore the challenges in your relationship in a safe environment using real-proof Couple Counselling, which can mean the difference between divorce and reconciliation.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri and Ms. Varshini Nayyar