When two individuals become uncomfortable in their relationship, they might focus on a third person or issue to stabilize it, creating a triangle. This could involve focusing on work or finding a replacement for a loss to avoid dealing with the relationship directly. Triangles can involve any combination of people and issues, and do not necessarily require three individuals. According to Murray Bowen, a pioneer of family systems theory, the triangle is considered the most stable form of human relationship, as two-person relationships are inherently unstable due to the challenges of being self-differentiated most of the time.