Sternberg Triangular Theory of Love

In his Triangular Theory of Love, Sternberg argues that couples in “consummate love” is the most satisfying form of love. Do you agree? Is there value in the other types of love described in the triangular theory? Might someone find one or more of these other types of love to be preferable to consummate love? If so, is that preference likely to be related to the person’s age/developmental state? Are you aware of any evidence that supports or fails to support Sternberg’s assertion that consummate love is the “best” kind?

ANSWER

Triangular theory of love

The triangular theory of love is made up of three types of love. These types of love include; consummate love, romantic love, and companionate kind of love. Romantic love inloves intimacy and passion but the partners of this love are not committed to each other. Companionate love involves being committed and intimate to each other. In the triangular theory of love, Sternberg argues that the most effective and satisfying kind of love is consummate love among the couples (Novera, 2017). In this type of love, the lovers are commited, they are close to each other, and have the same passion.

I agree with Sternberg’s argument because couples need to be close to each other and have the same passion and determination. Couples, especially those in their middle ages should show this kind of love to each other because their love is at its climax during their middle ages (Novera, 2017). Their spark of love is yet to die hence this kind of love will make them feel that they are real lovers and each is commited to staying together forever. The other kinds of love are also good but the age and development state of the lovers are the key determinants of which love is required of them.

The other kinds of love also have their values. Potential lovers who are still in their engagement period prefer the romantic type of love. They have not yet started living together and therefore they need to be attractictive to each other. These partners will spend most of their time together but one cannot tell whether they are committed to each other (Sorokowski et.al, 2021). Some lovers may also prefer the companionate kind of love. This may be between lovers whose physical attraction is not so strong but they are committed to each other (Sorokowski et.al, 2021).

According to Novera, 2017, a consummate type of love is the best for couple because it demonstrates all virtues that a couple should have. Being committed and having the same passion between a couple shows that their love is real and they will stay together not for a long time but forever.

References

Novera, N. A. (2017). The Consummate Love of Hazel Grace as Reflected in The Fault in Our Stars Movie (Doctoral dissertation, Diponegoro University). http://eprints.undip.ac.id/54871/1/Nadya_Astriana_Novera_-_The_Consummate_Love_of_Hazel_Grace_a.pdf

Sorokowski, P., Sorokowska, A., Karwowski, M., Groyecka, A., Aavik, T., Akello, G., … & Sternberg, R. J. (2021). Universality of the triangular theory of love: adaptation and psychometric properties of the triangular love scale in 25 countries. The Journal of Sex Research, 58(1), 106-115. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224499.2020.1787318