Final answer:
In Sternberg's triangular theory of love, the initial kind of love experienced when getting to know a romantic partner is 'passionate love,' characterized by intimacy and passion but without commitment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of love experienced when we first get to know a romantic partner is referred to as passionate love. This form of love is characterized by intense emotions and arousal, often felt during the beginning stages of a romantic relationship.
According to Sternberg's triangular theory of love, passionate love includes the components of intimacy and passion, but may not necessarily include commitment, which may develop over time as the relationship matures. Sternberg distinguishes this from other forms of love, such as companionate love, which involves intimacy and commitment without the passionate aspect that characterizes the early stages of romance. It is often described as the initial spark or infatuation at the beginning of a romantic relationship.