LOVE IN 3-D - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY ON THE T RIANGULARY THEORY BY STERNBERG

Potentially Triangular Theory of Love (Sternberg, 1986, 1987) is a use ful framework for research in the domain of ''love''. The present stud y examines empirical correlates of the three theoretical dimensions '' intimacy'', ''passion'', and ''decision/commitment''. In a complete pa ired comparison paradigm 50 Ss made similarity judgments of 14 love re lationships. Finally, each relationship was rated on each of the three theoretical dimensions. These ratings were used to classify the relat ionships in terms of Triangular Theory (theoretical model). Subjects' similarity judgments were modelled by means of a nonmetrical multidime nsional scaling procedure (empirical model). The obtained empirical mo del correlates with the theoretical classification. Multiple regressio n analyses, however, revealed that only the passion dimension is easil y interpretable. The remaining dimensions were both associated with in timacy and decision/commitment. Nevertheless, a dimensional approach t o the study of love seems to be fruitful.