Final answer:
Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love identifies three critical components of love that make up the vertices of a love triangle: intimacy, passion, and commitment. The type and strength of love are determined by the presence and balance of these three factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love asserts that love can be understood in terms of three components that together form the vertices of a triangle. These components are: intimacy, which involves feelings of closeness and connectedness; passion, which includes drives that lead to romance, physical attraction, and sexual consummation; and commitment, which entails the decision to maintain the relationship. According to Sternberg, the type of love experienced depends on the strength of these three components.
For example, romantic love is characterized by high intimacy and passion but may lack commitment in the early stages. Consummate love, deemed the most complete form of love, has high levels of all three components. These factors are integral in understanding the complexity of human relationships and the different forms love can take.