The theory, proposed by American psychologist Robert Sternberg in 1986 to explain the nature of romantic relationships and interpersonal patterns of love, suggests that love is not a one-dimensional experience or a simple feeling, but a complex structure consisting of three main components that interact with each other to create a variety of love patterns. Sternberg compares these components to the vertices of a triangle, each of which represents one of the main dimensions of love. The components of love in Sternberg’s theory are: 1) Intimacy – represents the emotional aspect of love, encompassing feelings of intimacy, affection, connection, support and mutual trust. Intimacy – reflects the depth of the relationship in terms of understanding and psychological comfort and refers to the level of emotional warmth and openness that partners feel towards each other.
2) Passion – expresses the physical dimension, sexual attraction, as well as physical and emotional desire that drives a person to a loved one. Passion is the most important driving force of a relationship, representing a powerful element of excitement and attraction, but it is often volatile and fickle compared to intimacy and devotion.
3) Loyalty – represents the cognitive-volitional dimension of the relationship, which includes a conscious decision to continue the relationship in the long term, taking responsibility, keeping promises and dedicating oneself to building a common future. Devotion reflects the stability of love and the willingness of both partners to maintain it despite difficulties.