What happens to passion in relationships according to Sternberg?

• A. Passion tends to build up quickly, peak, and then gradually decline.
• B. Passion stays constant.
• C. Passion only increases over time.
• D. Passion is irrelevant to Sternberg's theory.

Answer: (A)

In Sternberg's triangular theory of love, passion is the intense attraction and arousal that often surges early in a relationship. It tends to rise quickly, peak as excitement is at its highest, and then gradually decline as partners move into deeper intimacy and long-term commitment. This trajectory—fast buildup, a peak, then a gradual fade—best fits how passion typically unfolds, and it can even be rekindled later with new experiences or changes in the relationship.

Other patterns don’t fit as well: passion isn’t usually constant over time, nor does it simply keep increasing as a relationship matures, and passion is a recognized component of his theory rather than irrelevant.