Final answer:
Consummate love, in Sternberg's theory, is marked by a healthy balance of intimacy, passion, and commitment. Other forms of love differ by combining only two or one of these elements, and examples can be seen in various personal relationships such as mentorships or summer flings.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Sternberg's triangular theory of love, the type of love characterized by the healthy presence of intimacy, passion, and commitment in both partners is known as consummate love. This theory suggests that these three components must be present for a love relationship to be complete and fulfilling.
Other forms of love in Sternberg's theory are based on different combinations of these components. For instance, liking involves only intimacy, infatuation is solely based on passion, and empty love relies just on commitment. Companionate love (found in close friendships and family) has both intimacy and commitment but lacks passion. Romantic love combines passion and intimacy without commitment, while fatuous love is characterized by passion and commitment but is missing intimacy.
Consider a relationship between a mentor and a mentee, which might be a form of companionate love, and a summer fling between teenagers could be an example of romantic love. These examples demonstrate how different relationships emphasize various components of Sternberg's theory.