PSYCO 105: Research Essay

The Application of Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Love in Careers and Passion Areas

Sierrah Bennett

PSYCO 105: Individual Social Behaviour

Kelly Mutter

March 12th, 2023

Sternberg's triarchic theory of love illustrates the depth of personal relationships with others. It is an explanation regarding the concept of love and how relationships between people evolve, endure, or end based on factors of intimacy, passion, and commitment. However, this theory's influence can span beyond personal relationships. Its studies on various psychological components can be considered a framework for multiple other connections, including careers and hobbies (Shimp & Madden, 1988). According to Sternberg's theory, the main elements of love consist of intimacy, passion, and commitment, with subfactors of devotion, loyalty, effort, competence, and familiarity at its core (Diessener et al., 2004). Upon further consideration, it is apparent that the aspects in which Sternberg claims to make an exceptional life-partner overlap with those that make a firm employee, entrepreneur, or enthusiast. Throughout this essay, I will lay out the correlation between consummate love and consumer-object relations through psychological motivations, attitudes, and feelings (Shimp & Madden, 1988). Furthermore, I will showcase the importance of human conation and its crucial role in one's journey to self-actualization and internal validation through career orientations and interests (Diessner et al., 2004). Lastly, I will present the effects others' opinions and thoughts may have on one's relationship with their career and passion areas regarding external validation (Sternberg, 1997).

Consummate love is the highest form of love to achieve among personal relationships, according to Sternberg's theory, but how can this apply to object consumer relationships and the formation of successful business and careers?

Similar to consummate love amongst individuals, object-consumer relationships can be viewed as a psychological process evolving from non-liking to a desired attitude towards someone or something (Shimp & Madden, 1988). It is essential to contribute all main elements of consummate love, such as a passion for what one does, commitment to one's craft, and a professional level of intimacy with clients to establish a successful career. It is also crucial to understand the depths of object-consumer relationships. Object-consumer relationships are best described through the factors of liking, yearning, and commitment through the consumer's perceptions (Shimp & Madden, 1988). Like any relationship, object-consumer relations begin in the stage of non-liking, where potential customers have no particular feelings towards a specific business or brand (Shimp & Madden, 1988). This stage of non-liking contains no feelings of liking, yearning, or commitment, creating an indifferent psychological attitude among future buyers. Upon further advertising, research, and understanding, object-consumer relationships may evolve into different stages, such as liking, infatuation, functionalism, desire, and utilitarianism (Shimp & Madden, 1988). These stages may contain feelings of liking, yearning, and commitment individually or in pairs but never contain all three components. This concept is similar to Sternberg's multiple triangles of love and the various relationships that can be achieved (Sternberg, 1997). With a highly positive and strong object-consumer relationship among one's resources and clients, businesses become successful with brand image, loyal customers, and returning buyers. Just as consummate love leads to loyal, long-lasting relationships between individuals, solid object-consumer relationships can lead to devoted and enduring connections between businesses and their customers (Shimp & Madden, 1988). These strong customer relationships can benefit not only furthering one's career but also improving one's journey to internal validation through what they do.

Loving one's career and seeing meaning in what one does increases performance and ambition in what they do. Love for what one does can create a sense of meaning and purpose in one's life and can lead to the steps necessary to climb to achieve self-actualization (Diessener et al., 2004). Through understanding Sternberg's triarchic theory of love and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, it is apparent that both psychological theories help form identity and internal validation (Diessener et al., 2004). According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, it is essential for individuals to accomplish basic physiological, safety, belonging, and esteem needs in order to reach their fullest potential. Although not applicable to the basic needs outlined in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Sternberg's triarchic theory of love can be applied within the stages of psychological needs. One may fulfill their needs of belongingness and love through relationships with others, but may also feel a sense of belonging and love through their career path or hobbies. Through passion and conation for what one does, motivation becomes a desire to do what one loves (Diessener et al., 2004). With more practice, dedication, and commitment, one will identify more with what they do, creating a more solidified sense of identity of oneself and forming an attachment to their career and interests (Diessener et al., 2004).  The idea of attachment plays a vital role within Sternberg's triangular theory of love, serving as a dependent variable in social interaction and how one determines and carries out relationships with others (Madey et al., 2009). Just as getting to know others creates a more intimate relationship with them, the journey to discovering one's identity can also lead to a more intimate relationship with oneself. As previously stated, Sternberg's theory regards the highest form of love to achieve with others as consummate love. A love that is attainable amongst partners but also a love that can extend into self-fulfillment, feeling seen and valued by others. 

  Although members of western society are more focused on individualism rather than collectivism, the thoughts and opinions of others may affect one's relationship with both their interests and career paths. There are many career paths and hobbies that individuals have interests in but may be discouraged or embarrassed of due to the perceptions others may have about them. Although one might have a deep rooted love for their career or hobby, does the lack of external validation derive people from doing what they love? According to Diessner et al., (2004), the factors of passion and intimacy for one's career and hobbies remain untouched by the influence of external validation. However, the element of commitment is heavily impacted by the thoughts and opinions of others. As a result, individuals that are not externally validated by those in their sphere of influence have a lesser chance of committing to their career or hobby than those who are encouraged. This concept is reiterated again within Sternberg's idea of commitment being a cognitive decision to accomplish, whereas passion and intimacy are more naturally occurring (Diessener et al., 2004).

Sternberg’s triarchic theory of love is a useful tool in developing and recognizing different types of relationships with others, but can also help one understand their relationship with their careers and interests. Through outlining concepts and elements that can assist one at creating strong consumer-object relationships, Sternberg’s theory can help businesses and workers create a loyal bond with their customers, leading to success in their career path. Furthermore, the triarchic theory of love can help explain how psychological needs of belonging and esteem can be achieved not only through relationships with others, but also through one's own passions and career orientations. Although internal validation is a massive contributing factor in determining one’s relationship with their hobbies and careers, it is also crucial to understand the effects the surplus or lack of external validation can have on one’s commitment to their hobbies and career. Overall, Sternberg’s triarchic theory of love has the ability to dive beyond the depths of understanding personal relationships amongst individuals, and help explain a multitude of elements within work relationships and personal interests.

References

Diessner, R., Frost, N., & Smith, T. (2004). Describing the neoclassical psyche embedded in 

Sternberg's triangular theory of love. Social Behavior and Personality: An International 

Journal, 32(7), 683-690. DOI: 10.2224/sbp.2004.32.7.683

Madey, S. F., & Rodgers, L. (2009). The effect of attachment and Sternberg’s triangular theory  

    of love on relationship satisfaction. Individual Differences Research, 7(2), 76–86. 

Shimp, T. A., & Madden, T. J. (1988). Consumer-object relations: A conceptual framework 

based analogously on Sternberg's triangular theory of love. ACR North American 

Advances. https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/6810/volumes/v15/na-1 

Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Construct validation of a triangular love scale. European Journal of 

Social Psychology, 27(3), 313-335. http://www.vivanautics.com/pdf/Sternberg1997.pdf