Psychologist Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love is made up of three components: intimacy, passion, and
decision/commitment (Feldman, 2011, p. 454). The combination of these components creates eight types of love. Your
assignment this week is to “classify” love. Listed below are 20 famous or historical couples. Some of them are real and
some of them are fictional. Your assignment is to pick seven of these couples and determine what type of love each
couple has/had. Obviously, you do not know all the details of these couples’ lives, but using information based on internet
research and what you do know or what is implied, give a brief description of the couple, and then describe the
components of their love and explain why this couple fits the type of love you have classified them with. Some couples
may have experienced multiple types of love—include these as well. Your choices must include at least five different
types of love.
Your paper should be approximately 3 to 5 pages in length making sure to follow APA guidelines. Your grade for the
assignment will be determined based on your explanation of why you believe each couple exemplifies the type of love you
chose for them (not on whether you chose the correct type of love for that couple).
Andy Taylor and Helen Crump (TV show, The Andy Griffith Show)
Claire and Cliff Huxtable (TV show, Cosby Show)
Cleopatra and Mark Antony (Historical figures)
Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King, Jr. (Civil Rights Leaders)
Couple of your choice
Dharma and Greg (TV Show, Dharma and Greg)
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis (Actors)
Edith and Archie Bunker (TV Show, All In The Family)
Hillary Rodham and Bill Clinton (President and First Lady)
Jada Pinkett and Will Smith (Actors)
Jerry Seinfeld and Elaine Bennett (TV show, Seinfeld)
June and Johnny Cash (Country Singers)
Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (TV show, I Love Lucy)
Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI of France (Historical figures)
Michelle and Barack Obama (President and First Lady)
Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais (Historical figure)
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (Actors)
Peggy and Hank Hill (TV show, King of the Hill)
Prince Charles and Princess Diana (Current/Historical figures)
Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara (Gone With the Wind)
Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare characters)
Sam Malone and Diane Chambers (TV show, Cheers)
