This theory suggests that people can have varying degrees of intimacy, passion, and commitment at any one moment in time.
Three Components of Love. In Dr. Sternberg's theory, the concept of love is a triangle that is made up of three components: Intimacy, which involves feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bondedness. Passion, which involves feelings and desires that lead to physical attraction, romance, and sexual consummation.
Passion, which involves feelings and desires that lead to physical attraction, romance, and sexual consummation. Decision/commitment, which involves feelings that lead a person to remain with someone and move toward shared goals.
Romantic love bonds people emotionally through intimacy and physical passion. Partners in this type of relationship have deep conversations that help them know intimate details about each other. They enjoy sexual passion and affection. These couples may be at the point where long-term commitment or future plans are still undecided.