Intimacy, Love, & Sexuality Flashcards
According to Erikson, what needs to preceded intimacy?
Identity
According to Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial development, what stage are emerging adults in?
intimacy vs. isolation
What is the challenge of the intimacy vs. isolation stage?
Developing an intimate relationship without compromising one’s own individuality.
What is the difference between Erikson’s theory and Sullivan’s theory?
Erikson: identity then intimacy
Sullivan: intimacy then identity
Describe Sullivan’s Interpersonal Theory.
Stages reflect changing interpersonal needs and social relationships.
Describe Sullivan’s pre-adolescence stage.
Need for intimacy
- gain a sense of well-being by first developing friendships
- provides confidence to give and receive intimate thoughts and feelings
Describe Sullivan’s early adolescence stage.
Need for sexuality
- increasing romantic and sexual desires
- desires for close interpersonal relationships
- goal is to find a partner who can also be an intimate friend
What is accomplished by achieving Sullivan’s stages?
- contributes to sense of self
Describe the change in intimacy from childhood to adolescence to emerging adulthood.
Childhood/Adolescence: friends are the main source of intimacy
Adolescence/Emerging Adulthood: romantic partner becomes main source of intimacy
What are 4 good features of romantic relationships?
- more intense positive emotions
- sexual activity
- being cared for partner
- having social companion
What are 4 bad features of romantic relationships?
- more intense negative emotions
- more social constraints
- emotional vulnerability
- more conflict than friendship
What are the problems with concrete categorizations of relationships vs. friendships.
- friends with benefits have elements of both
- asexuality
- flirtation-ships
Why is there an increase in romantic relationships as age increases?
- increased pressure to be in romantic relationship
- increased sexual desire
- exploration of gender roles
- parent’s rules
- more independence
- seeking more mature activity
What is consensual validation?
We like to find other who are in agreement with our own characteristics or view of life
- validates beliefs/opinions
- reduces conflict
What are the 3 fundamental qualities in Sternberg’s Theory of Love?
- Passion
- Intimacy
- Commitment
Describe passion (Sternberg’s Theory of Love).
- physical attraction
- sexual desire
- intense emotions
Why do people seek out romantic relationships?
- recreation/fun
- learning how to be in relationships
- social status
- intimacy
- companionship
- courtship
- sexual experimentation (limited research)
Describe intimacy (Sternberg’s Theory of Love).
- feelings of closeness
- emotional attachment
- mutual understanding
- support
- open communication
What are the top 3 reasons for seeking out romantic relationships in adolescence.
- recreation
- Intimacy
- Status
What are the top 3 reasons for seeking out romantic relationships in emerging adults.
- Intimacy
- Companionship
- Recreation
Describe commitment (Sternberg’s Theory of Love).
- pledge of enduring love
- sustains relationship through fluctuations in passion and intimacy
What are Sternberg’s 7 types of love?
- liking (most friendships)
- infatuation (psychological and emotional arousal)
- Empty love (commitment, loyalty)
- romantic love (intense, fleeting, joyful)
- companionate love (old married couple, close friend)
- fatuous love (whirlwind love)
- Consummate love (ultimate love)
Love type: high on intimacy and passion but no commitment.
Romantic love
e.g., 500 days of summer
Love type: high on passion but no intimacy or commitment.
Infatuation
e.g., friends with benefits, Barney (HIMYM) and everyone
Love type: low on intimacy and passion but high in commitment.
Empty Love
e.g., arranged marriage, Donald and Melania Trump
Love type: high on intimacy and commitment but no passion.
Companionate love
e.g., Meredith and Christina
Love type: high on intimacy and low passion and commitment.
Liking
e.g., Ross and Chandler
Love type: low on intimacy but high on passion and commitment.
Fatuous love
e.g., quick, early engagement/marriage, Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson
Love type: high on intimacy and passion and commitment.
Consummate love
e.g., the Notebook
What are the limitations of Sternberg’s love types?
- different partners have different views
- can’t pinpoint one type of love
- type can change over time
How can Sternberg’s theory apply to adolescence.
- consummate love is possible but rare (e.g., high-school sweethearts)
- commitment increases in emerging adulthood
- type of love is different than it is adults
What are the most common types of love in adolescence?
- infatuation
- romantic love
Both have passion with not commitment
