Intimate relationships

Drawing on psychology, family studies, sociology, communication studies, and neuroscience, Intimate Relationships is a comprehensive and current overview of relationship science written in an engaging and accessible style. The seventh edition of this best-selling text includes new, thought-provoking teaching tools and over 600 new references. Cover 1 Intimate Relationships 2 Contents 4 About the Author 11 PREFACE 9 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 11 1. The Building Blocks of Relationships 16 the nature and importance of intimacy 17 the influence of culture 21 the influence of experience 29 the influence of individual differences 34 the influence of human nature 47 the influence of interaction 51 the dark side of relationships 52 for your consideration 53 chapter summary 53 2. Research Methods 56 the short history of relationship science 57 developing a question 61 obtaining participants 62 choosing a design 65 selecting a setting 68 the nature of our data 70 the ethics of such endeavors 76 interpreting and integrating results 78 a final note 79 for your consideration 80 chapter summary 81 3. Attraction 83 the fundamental basis of attraction 83 proximity: liking those near us 84 physical attractiveness: liking those who are lovely 90 reciprocity: liking those who like us 103 similarity: liking those who are like us 106 barriers: liking those we cannot have 115 so, what do men and women want? 115 for your consideration 117 chapter summary 117 4. Social Cognition 120 first impressions (and beyond) 121 the power of perceptions 127 impression management 142 so, just how well do we know our partners? 148 for your consideration 153 chapter summary 153 5. Communication 156 nonverbal communication 158 verbal communication 171 dysfunctional communication and what to do about it 181 for your consideration 188 chapter summary 189 6. Interdependency 191 social exchange 191 the economies of relationships 199 are we really this greedy? 212 the nature of commitment 220 for your consideration 225 chapter summary 225 7. Friendship 228 the nature of friendship 229 friendship across the life cycle 237 differences in friendship 242 friendship difficulties 247 for your consideration 258 chapter summary 259 8. Love 261 a brief history of love 262 types of love 263 individual and cultural differences in love 280 does love last? 284 for your consideration 289 chapter summary 289 9. Sexuality 291 sexual attitudes 291 sexual behavior 296 sexual satisfaction 313 sexual coercion 319 for your consideration 321 chapter summary 321 10. Stresses and Strains 323 perceived relational value 323 hurt feelings 325 ostracism 328 jealousy 330 deception and lying 341 betrayal 346 forgiveness 350 for your consideration 352 chapter summary 353 11. Conflict 355 the nature of conflict 355 the course of conflict 359 the outcomes of conflict 374 for your consideration 378 chapter summary 379 12. Power and Violence 380 power and interdependence 381 violence in relationships 395 for your consideration 406 chapter summary 407 13. The Dissolution and Loss of Relationships 409 the changing rate of divorce 409 the predictors of divorce 416 breaking up 426 the aftermath of breakups 430 for your consideration 440 chapter summary 441 14. Maintaining and Repairing Relationships 443 maintaining and enhancing relationships 445 repairing relationships 453 in conclusion 462 for your consideration 463 chapter summary 463 REFERENCES 465 CREDITS 558 NAME INDEX 562 SUBJECT INDEX 573 Drawing on psychology, family studies, sociology, communication studies, and neuroscience, this volume is a comprehensive and current overview of relationship science written in an engaging and accessible style. The seventh edition includes new teaching tools and over 720 new references Drawing on psychology, family studies, sociology, communication studies, and neuroscience, this book offers a comprehensive overview of relationship science that is written in an engaging and accessible style. It includes fresh teaching tools and over 600 new references.