Skip to main content
Medicine LibreTexts

10.2: Love and Attraction Theory

  • Page ID
    13392
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    One of the most important factors in interpersonal attraction is similarity: the more similar two people are in attitudes, background, and other traits, the more probable it is that they will like each other. Contrary to popular belief, opposites do not usually attract. Although physical attraction may take precedence in the early stages of a romantic relationship, similarity and other compatibility factors become more important later on.

    Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love

    Psychologist Robert Sternberg describes love based on combinations of three components: passion, intimacy, and commitment. When two people share all three, they are said to be in a state of consummate love. This combination is considered to be an ideal type of love, but is also relatively difficult to maintain for a long period of time.

    Screen Shot 2019-07-28 at 8.35.25 AM.png

    Note

    A relationship based on a single component is less likely to survive than one based on two or three components.

    Contributors and Attributions

    CC Licensed Content, Shared Previously

    • Attraction and Love Theory. Authored by: Boundless. Located at: www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/social-psychology-20/social-behavior-105/attraction-loving-397-12932/. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike​​​​​​​

    This page titled 10.2: Love and Attraction Theory is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kelly Falcone via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

    • Was this article helpful?