Sternberg’s Triangular Love Scale, STLS

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Intimacy is the attachment and bonding component in the model. This type of relationship is associated with connection and understanding. Intimacy is primarily defined as something of a personal or private nature; familiarity.

Passion is the drive and excitement component in the model. This type of relationship is associated with romance and sexual desire. Passion is primarily defined as a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.

Commitment is the decision and continuation component in the model. This type of relationship is associated with finality and the future. Commitment is primarily defined as an agreement or pledge to do something.

The three components, pictorially labeled on the vertices of a triangle, interact with each other and with the actions they produce so as to form seven different kinds of love experiences (non-love is not represented). The size of the triangle functions to represent the «amount» of love-the bigger the triangle, the greater the love. Each corner has its own type of love and provides different combinations to create different types of love and labels for them. The shape of the triangle functions to represent the «style» of love, which may vary over the course of the relationship:

• Non-love. The absence of any components of love. No connection. Indifferent to relationship.

• Liking/friendship (Intimacy): This type simply involves a positive connection to the other without romance, such as friendships and acquaintances.

• Infatuated love (Passion): Also known as «puppy love», this type consists of romantic interest without yet forming a connection to the other. Romantic relationships often start out as infatuated love and become romantic love as intimacy develops over time. Without developing intimacy or commitment, infatuated love may disappear suddenly.

• Empty love (Commitment): This type is when love has no romance or understanding, deteriorating into empty love. In an arranged marriage, the spouses' relationship may begin as empty love and develop into another form.

• Romantic love (Intimacy & Passion): This type involves both the romance and connection of the other, which could be a romantic affair or a one-night stand.

• Companionate love (Intimacy & Commitment): This type is a long-term positive connection to the other without romance, «observed in long-term marriages where passion is no longer present». It is usually associated with close friends and family.

• Fatuous love (Passion & Commitment): This type is a long-term romantic relationship without connection. Marriages under this type lack the stability of intimacy and often become displeasing.

• Consummate love (Intimacy, Passion, & Commitment): The complete form of love in the model. Of the seven varieties of love, consummate love is theorized to be that associated with the «perfect couple». According to Sternberg, these couples will continue to have sex fifteen years or more into the relationship, they cannot imagine themselves happier over the long-term with anyone else, they overcome their few difficulties gracefully, and each delights in the relationship with the other. However, Sternberg cautions that maintaining a consummate love may be even harder than achieving it. He stresses the importance of translating the components of love into action. «Without expression,» he warns, «even the greatest of loves can die.»