Robert Steinberg: The Triangular Theory Of Love

Triangular theory of Love is a theory that was created by Robert Steinberg. According to this theory, there are three components of love – passion, intimacy, and compassion. Passion refers to the sexual or romantic attraction of both sexes. Intimacy refers to the deep sense of attachment, and a dynamic of sharing with the counterpart. Compassion refers to the willingness of not letting it stay as it is but to maintain the relationship and let it grow. The three components of love can be combined into seven ways to get seven different types of love, according to this theory.
1. Intimacy. This is a type of love that is called liking or friendship and the relationship does not amount to anything more than what it is.
2. Passion. This is a type of love which equals to infatuated love. Infatuated love is overpowering but is short-lived. There is no commitment in this kind of love.
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Commitment. This is also called Empty Love. This is a love where there is no intimacy but only commitment.
4. Romantic. This is a kind of love in which Passion and Intimacy is combined. The intense feeling of passion, accompanied by sharing personal stories like friends do is present. It would feel like a long term but there will be no commitment.
5. Companionate Love. A love that is a combination of Intimacy and Commitment is called Companionate Love. It is a love that was meant to be a long term but sure of no passion present.
6. Fatuous Love. This is a kind of love that is contrast to companionate love. If companionate has no passion, then fatuous love has it. But in exchange, it does not have the intimacy which companionate has.
7. Consummate Love. This is the kind of love in which the three elements are combined – passion, intimacy and compassion. This is the ideal love of all couples. It is said that this can be achieved but according to most psychologists, the challenge in this kind of love is the maintenance of