Activity 3
Forms of Love
Just as there are many different types of relationships, there are many different components to love.
From friendship to romantic love, from empty love to consummate love, love in relationships can take
many different forms.
Sternberg’s triangular theory of love includes three interconnected components: intimacy, passion, and
commitment. These components exist in some but not every relationship. The degree of love and
intimacy determines which of the three components are included in the eight types of love described in
the lesson.
Instructions: Complete the following chart by indicating which of the three components, intimacy,
passion, and commitment, are included in the different forms of love. Some forms of love will include all
three components while others will only include one or two. Place an ‘X’ in the appropriate boxes.
Intimacy
Non-love
Liking/friendship
Infatuated love
Empty love
Romantic love
Companionate love
Fatuous love
Consummate love
Passion
Commitment
Check your answers below.
Before you leave this section, ask yourself two questions: can friendship lead to romantic love, and can
you start a romance without friendship?
Intimacy
Passion
Commitment
Non-love
Liking/friendship
X
Infatuated love
X
Empty love
X
Romantic love
X
X
X
Companionate love
X
X
Fatuous love
X
X
X
X
Consummate love
X