- I might be committed and there can be a spark,
but ultimately, I don't feel particularly
emotionally connected to the individual.
(intense fanfare)
(upbeat music)
Hello. I am Dr. Todd Spencer,
a professor in behavioral science at UVU.
One of the age-old questions of mankind is, what is love.
How do we understand the different components of love?
What is Love
Robert Sternberg introduced the triangular theory of love
that helps us make sense of the core components
of a healthy, happy relationship.
The primary three components are intimacy,
passion and commitment.
Intimacy is defined as that emotional closeness
that exists between romantic partners,
whereas passion is gonna be the romantic spark in charge.
And commitment is going to be the sense of loyalty
and devotion to that individual.
Consummate Love
Sternberg theorized that when all three of these components
were active in a relationship,
you had what he termed consummate love,
which is sort of the ultimate goal of relationships.
However, we know every relationship
can look a little bit different.
It's possible to have two of the aspects present
while one's missing.
For example, when you have passion and intimacy,
you have what he termed as romantic love, right,
where there's excitement and there's emotional closeness
but there may not be a long-term commitment
to the relationship.
Additionally, if intimacy and commitment are present,
it is what's termed companionate love
where I can feel emotionally connected to someone
and I can be dedicated to the relationship,
but I don't feel the fires of passion.
And lastly, when passion and commitment are present
without intimacy, it's fatuous love.
I might be committed and there can be a spark,
but ultimately, I don't feel particularly
emotionally connected to the individual.
Overall, in answering the question, what is love,
one way to look at it is,
what is the level of passion, intimacy
and commitment in a relationship?
And as those things become present,
you'll know what love is.
(music intensifies)