Love
Theory - Triangular Theory
Triangular Theory
(Sternberg)
-Intimacy
-Passion
-Commitment
2 Triangles: Ideal rel and current rel
Cultural differences in importance of 3 factors
Evidence
Sternberg – Interview students, fairty-tale, gardening and porno stories of love
Happy couples – similar stories
Women prefer travel story, men art story
Fehr – Questionnaire, describe love, results close to S’s 3 factors
Evaluation
+ Explains how love rels are so varied (diff balance in 3 factors)
+ Systematic attempt to categorise aspects of love
- Biased sample – Yale uni students
- Method (questionnaire) lack validity
Alternative – 3 factor theory
Hatfield & Walster – love is a label based on culture learning
Theory - Continuity Hypothesis
Continuity Hypothesis
(Bowlby)
- Based on strength of infancy attachment (Avoidant, Resistant, Secure, Disorganised)
Evidence
Hazan & Shaver – prediction of relationships
Love quiz, secure attachment: divorce less likely, trust. Insecure: true love was rare, rels less easy.
Feeney & Noller – Secure most long term, enduring romantic avoidant short, least intense.
McCarthy – Women: avoidant, difficult in romantic rels, resistant, poorest friendship
Evaluation
+ Explain why some have difficulty finding love
- Correlational
- Retrospective studies – not result in accurate memories
Both theories:
Redutionist and Determinist – experiences in childhood will determine rel in adulthood
