Chapter 1: The building blocks of relationships

Question 1

What are intimate relationships?

Answer 1

• Relationships with friends and lovers.
• Differ from casual associations in seven ways: knowledge, interdependence, caring, trust, responsiveness, mutuality, and commitment.

Question 2

What is the need to belong?

Answer 2

• Baumeister & Lear (1995): Need frequent, pleasant interactions with intimate partners.
• Human need to belong in close relationships.
• Quality over quantity in relationships leads to happier, healthier lives.

Question 3

What is the need for intimacy?

Answer 3

• Speculation on evolution of th eneed to belong.
• Early humans’ survival linked to social connections.
• Benefits of intimate relationships: happiness, health, and longevity.

Question 4

What are the cultural influences on intimate relationships?

Answer 4

• Cultural standards shape relationship expectations.
• Modern factors affecting relationships include individualism, technology, and sex ration.
• Cultural differences in traditional vs. permissive roles.

Question 5

What is the influence of experience on intimate relationships?

Answer 5

• Attachment styles influence relationships (secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant, dismissing styles).
• People differ in avoidance of intimacy and anxiety about abandonment.

Question 6

What are the individual differences in intimate relationships?

Answer 6

• Minimal sexual attitude differences between men and women.
• Psychological sex differences are small.
• Gender roles, androgyny, and their impact on relationship satisfaction.

Question 7

What is the role of human nature in intimate relationships?

Answer 7

• Assumptions of evolutionary psychology: sexual selection, reproductive dilemmas.
• Men and women differ in mate selection strategies.
• Cultural influences on evolved behavior.

Question 8

Interaction in intimate relationships

Answer 8

• Relationships result from the combination of histories and talents.
• Constantly changing outcomes due to mutual influence.
• Patterns of interaction distinguish one relationship from another.

Question 9

What is the dark side of relationships?

Answer 9

• Intimacy can lead to distress and displeasure.
• Drawbacks: fear of secrets, loss of autonomy, abandonment worries, dishonesty, confusion.
• Despite downsides, humans need close connections.

Question 10

What are the physical health consequences of relationships?

Answer 10

• Relationship distress can have significant physical health consequences.
• Emphasizes humans as social beings needing close connections to others.