Sternberg Love
Understand the intimacy, passion, and commitment in your romantic relationship
Why It Matters
Understanding your love style helps you communicate needs and expectations
Mismatched love types account for significant relationship dissatisfaction
Knowing which component is strongest enables targeted relationship improvement
What You'll Discover
• Your intimacy level (emotional closeness and connection)
• Your passion level (sexual and romantic excitement)
• Your commitment level (dedication to the relationship)
• Your love type (Romantic, Companionate, Consummate, etc.)
• Strategies to strengthen the components you need most
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love?
Robert Sternberg proposed that love has three components: Intimacy (emotional closeness), Passion (sexual and romantic excitement), and Commitment (decision to maintain the relationship). Different combinations create different love types.
What are the 8 types of love?
Combining high/low on each dimension yields: Liking (intimacy only), Infatuation (passion only), Empty love (commitment only), Romantic love (intimacy + passion), Companionate love (intimacy + commitment), Fatuous love (passion + commitment), and Consummate love (all three). Plus "non-love" (none).
Is Consummate love the only healthy love?
No. Different love types suit different relationships. Companionate love (long-term partnerships emphasizing friendship) is very stable. Romantic love (new, passionate relationships) is thrilling. Consummate love is ideal but rare and requires ongoing effort.
Can love move between types?
Yes. New relationships often start as passionate infatuation, develop intimacy to become romantic love, then shift to companionate (less passion, more friendship) as they mature. Healthy long-term love maintains both passion and intimacy.
What if partners have different love types?
Mismatched needs create tension. Someone craving consummate love paired with someone settling for companionate faces a gap. Communication and negotiation help, but fundamental needs alignment matters for satisfaction.
Related Assessments
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