CFS 3070 ch. 1

why intimate relationships important

• they matter to the people in them, around them, and society

intimate relationships relationships can buffer threats

when faced with a possible shock, people who were able to hold hands with their partner (and in a happy relationship) were calmer

what is subjective well being

higher level of overall happiness

how does a person’s relationship status and quality factor into their well-being?

there is a positive correlation between relationship satisfaction and overall life satisfaction

what is a relationship transition

significant shift in the dynamics of a relationship

how do the end of partnerships have adverse effects?

household incomes may drop, and women are particularly affected because they still make less

what is selection effect

selected sample is not a random sample but falls under bias of those who are choosing

what is the correlation between selection effect and relationships>

happier people are more likely to marry and less likely to divorce

protection effects

benefits afforded to married individuals, that shield them from some potential stressors or negative outcomes

impact of relationships on physical health

people who are in happier relationships generally live longer

intimate relationships influence the well-bring of children

children are affected by the relationship status of their caregivers

what are ways that children can be affected by the relationship status of their parents?

level of poverty

academic success

behavioral problems

emotional problems

long-term effects of parental relationships

parents’ marital status and parents’ relationships satisfaction are both related to outcomes for their children

how do parents with unhappy marriages affect their children long term?

children are more likely to have relationship problems of their own, and more likely to raise children who grow and follow in their footsteps

what risk does divorce put kids at?

children may also have the same pattern of problems as their parents in relationships they build in the future

social control theory

the view that intimate relationships regulate and impose limits on behavior

what behaviors based on intimate relationships would people be less likely to engage in?

they are less likely to misuse alcohol and drugs, along with other deviant behavior

individualistic culture

decisions based on the individual and what they want personally- choices are made on their own self will

collectivist culture

decisions are based on the group, the family takes a large role- what’s considered good of the group is what choices are made on

intimate relationships determine the survival of our species

as a species we are a product of natural selection

fitness

an organisms ability to survive and reproduce in its environment

how do fitness and intimate relationships correlate

our social relationships help determine whether a specific gene or set of genes improves fitness

what chemical does the body produce when interacting with a partner

oxytocin, a neuropeptide that gives feelings of calmness and trust

interdependent relationship

a relationship in which the behavior of each participant affects the other

the defining characteristic of any social relationship

interdependence

personal relationship

an interdependent relationship in which the partners consider each other special and unique

close relationship

a personal relationship in which the partners have strong and frequent influence on each other across a variety of activities

intimate relationship

a close relationship that has some kind of sexual passion that could be expressed and shared

desire

wanting to be united with the partner physically and emotionally

idealization

believing the partner is unique and special

joy

experiencing very strong, positive emotions

preoccupation

thinking a lot about the partner and having little control over when these thoughts occur

proximity

taking steps to maintain or restore physical closeness or emotional contact with the partner

prioritizing

giving the relationship more importance than other interests and responsibilities

caring

experiencing and expressing feelings of empathy and compassion for the partner

Sternberg’s theory of love

love is composed of passion, intimacy, and commitment