CONSTRUCT-VALIDATION OF A TRIANGULAR LOVE SCALE

This article presents a construct validation of a love scale based upo n a triangular theory of love. The article opens with a review of some of the major theories of love, and with a discussion of some of the m ajor issues in love research. Next it briefly reviews selected element s of the triangular theory of love, according to which love can be und erstood as comprising three components-intimacy, passion, and decision /commitment. Then the article presents two studies constituting the co nstruct validation of the love scale. The construct validation compris es aspects of internal validation-determination of whether the interna l structure of the data is consistent with the theory-and external val idation-determination of whether the scale based on the theory show's sensible patterns of correlations with external measures. The data are generally, but not completely supportive of the utility of the triang ular love scale.