Ch.1 - The Building Blocks of Relationships

What was the impact of COVID-19 on human relationships?

It highlighted the need for human contact and the emotional/psychological stress caused by isolation.

What are the seven components of intimacy?

Knowledge, interdependence, caring, trust, responsiveness, mutuality, commitment.

Knowledge

We share more intimate info with our partners

Interdependence

A mutual reliance between partners, where each person's actions and decisions significantly affect the other

Caring

An emotional investment in another's well-being, characterized by empathy, support, and affection.

Trust

A belief in the reliability and integrity of a partner

Responsiveness

The ability to perceive and react to a partner's needs and emotions

Mutuality

The recognition of shared interests and goals in a relationship

Commitment

A pledge to maintain a relationship over time

What psychological effect can solitary confinement have?

It causes emotional and psychological stress.

Effects of divorce

Divorce can lead to emotional distress, financial instability, and changes in social dynamics for individuals and families involved.

• broken heart syndrome

What is 'broken heart syndrome'?

A condition where one spouse can experience extreme emotional pain and physical symptoms after the other spouse dies.

Why might we need to belong?

It helps us survive, more inclined to value life more, safety in numbers, &

What trend has occurred regarding marriage since the 1960s?

Fewer people are marrying and those who do are waiting longer to marry.

What is 'singlism'?

Discrimination or negative thoughts about people who are single or choose to be single.

What is cohabitation and how has its perception changed?

Cohabitation is living together without being married, and it has become more common and accepted in modern culture.

What are the three types of attachment styles in children?

Secure, anxious-ambivalent, and avoidant.

What style of attachment relates to high dependence on others?

The preoccupied style of attachment.

How do low self-esteem levels affect a relationship?

They can exhaust the partner due to the constant need for reassurance.

What is the significance of self-esteem in the context of relationships?

High self-esteem protects individuals and helps gauge their relationships.

What are gender roles?

Expectations about how masculine and feminine traits should guide behavior.

What two dimensions did Bartholomew use to describe attachment styles?

Anxiety over abandonment and avoidance of intimacy.

What are the Big Five Personality Traits?

Openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

How does emotional intelligence factor into relationship success?

Individuals high in emotional intelligence can adapt better in relationships, making them preferable partners.

What evolutionary factor influences men's and women's relationships?

Natural selection has led to different mating strategies based on reproductive roles.

What is the significance of trust in intimate relationships?

Trust involves sharing personal information and is critical for maintaining emotional closeness.

What is the relationship between socioeconomic development and cultural norms?

Increased socioeconomic development leads to more choices and changes in cultural norms regarding relationships.

How does the perception of intimacy sometimes turn to its dark side?

Intimacy can lead to emotional pain, loss of connection, and the risks of relationships may outweigh benefits.

What role does culture play in the change of marital norms?

Culture influences marriage trends and the acceptance of practices like cohabitation and having children outside marriage.