The triangular theory of love encompasses different combinations of love across three components; intimacy, passion, and decision/commitment. According to Strong, Devault, Sayad, and Cohen (2001) the ôshape of the love triangle depends on the intensity of the love and the balance of the partsö (162). Within the love triangle there are eight different combinations of intimacy, passion and commitment. While each type is an extreme that is rarely achieved in relationships, the categories like ôlikingö, ôinfatuationö, and ôconsummate loveö provide a useful framework for discussion the concept of love (Strong et al., 2001).
When the intensity of love shared by two people is great, so is the area of the love triangle and vice versa. However, the greater a specific component of love, like passion, the further the point from the center of the triangle will be to that component. This is why the shape of the love triangle is dependent on the intensity of the different components of love. The shape of the triangle will evolve over time. We may achieve such ideal forms of love as consummate love, but such a form of love is hard to maintain over time because ôto sustain it, we must nourish its different components,àeach subject to the stress of timeö (Strong et al., 2001, 162). The more a couple works on keeping the three components of consummate love in balance and nourished, the more likely such a love will be maintained for a long period of time.
The following ten step outline represents a communication plan to enable couples to improve their verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
1) Practice making eye contact while communicating by refusing to look away from each other while discussing a list of mutually agreed upon topics (i.e., children, money, household responsibilities).
2) Practice proximity by speaking about the same sensitive issue while; a) sitting across the room from each other, b) sitting on t...