Final answer:
Romantic love, as defined by Sternberg's triangular theory of love, is characterized by the presence of passion and intimacy but no commitment. This contrasts with consummate love, which includes all three components. Different combinations of these elements form various types of love, each unique to the nature of the relationships they describe.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Sternberg's triangular theory of love, the type of love defined by the presence of passion and intimacy, but the absence of commitment, is known as romantic love. This form of love is characteristically intense and intimate, yet it lacks the long-term promise and mutual decision-making that commitment brings. In contrast, consummate love represents the complete form of love that includes all three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment. Sternberg's theory suggests that love can be understood by the presence or lack of these three elements and that each combination represents a different type of love. For example, companionate love comprises intimacy and commitment without passion and is typically observed in close friendships and family relationships, whereas infatuation involves only passion.