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What is love? Psychologists studying relationships might argue it is the result of thousands of years of evolution that ensures successful reproduction. Others would say partners that are similar and complementary to who you are and your lifestyle makes for a successful romantic relationship. Let's explore relationships within the realm of psychology, including how sexual selection affects partner preferences, the theories of romantic relationships, and virtual relationships.
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Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenWhat is love? Psychologists studying relationships might argue it is the result of thousands of years of evolution that ensures successful reproduction. Others would say partners that are similar and complementary to who you are and your lifestyle makes for a successful romantic relationship. Let's explore relationships within the realm of psychology, including how sexual selection affects partner preferences, the theories of romantic relationships, and virtual relationships.
Fig. 1: Relationships are important in human behaviour.
How we define relationships today is very different from how we defined them 50 to 100 years ago. They can be between people of any gender or gender-non-conformity or race and include more than two people. They can be established online or in person. In the context of romantic partners, a relationship can be defined as:
Passionate, affectionate and intimate exchanges between people, typically involving a level of commitment to one another.
But what makes us choose our partners?
While platonic family relationships, friendships and acquaintanceships are largely researched through different approaches in psychology, romantic relationships are also examined. Let's discuss what motivates attraction in romantic and sexual relationships.
Psychologists disagree about what motivates sexual relationships. Some believe attraction is an innate, evolutionary process of sexual selection, motivated by the biological human reproductive behaviour and the need for genes to survive by reproducing.
Others believe attraction is based on self-disclosure, an exchange of personal information leading to trust between partners. Of course, physical attractiveness also plays a part.
Physical attractiveness may be the primary motivator for sexual attraction.
What factors do you think are important in choosing a romantic partner and pursuing a relationship?
People can be in different stages of a romantic relationship, from the initial attraction when meeting to the maintenance of the relationship and perhaps then the relationship breakdown. Let's find out what psychological theories can teach us about different aspects of romantic relationships.
There are a few models of relationship maintenance that can be mentioned here. They consider relationships to be an economic exchange of investment, benefit, and cost. There may be a constant struggle between parties, but the exchange should be equitable for a relationship to last.
Duck (1988) stated that relationships break down in four stages, called the phase model of relationship breakdown:
Heartbreak is tough. It can even result in physical symptoms such as chest pains and shortness of breath, also known as Broken Heart Syndrome.
Fig. 2: Relationships break down for a variety of reasons.
Who is to say what a functional relationship looks like; it is a widely subjective concept. But how can some relationships diverge from aspects of filter theory (such as proximity/demographic distance) and potentially still be successful? Here we will briefly look at virtual and parasocial relations
There are thousands of dating websites worldwide, but not all virtual relationships are romantic. Nevertheless, it remains the case that online dating accounts form a large number of new relationships these days, but how are virtual relationships formed?
Self-disclosure (sharing personal information) is important in this process. It helps to build trust towards partners.
Joinson (2001) suggested people disclose more of their personal information when they are able to talk over a computer, rather than face to face.
Sharing things with a potential partner in the absence of gates (characteristics that may impede attraction when people meet in person, e.g., the way someone smells or how they look in person) may speed up the formation of a relationship.
The absence of gating (barriers to a relationship) also help in the formation of a virtual relationship, often making them stronger. Seeing someone in person can result in seeing things that can reduce attraction, such as appearance or mannerisms, that probably won't be noticed in an online relationship.
Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships, such as a fan's adoration of a celebrity. These relationships are explained by psychologists using attachment theory and the absorption-addiction model.
Fig.3: Parasocial relationships exist between fans and their favourite celebrities.
Although not relevant for an exam, symbiotic relationships refer to two different organisms interacting in a way that is usually mutually beneficial. For example, sharks and pilotfish have a symbiotic relationship.
Psychological theories of romantic and sexual relationships generally see them as evolutionary, economic, or social. Physical attractiveness, for instance, can affect the development of a relationship.
Many theories of relationship maintenance see relationships as an exchange of cost and benefit (social exchange theory, equity theory, and the investment model).
Theories of relationships use stage models to explain how relationships are formed and broken down (Duck, 1988).
Virtual relationships rely on self-disclosure and the absence of gates.
Parasocial relationships are one-sided and can be explained through absorption-addiction and attachment theories.
Psychologists differ in how they define relationships. Some think they are an exchange of benefits and costs. Others think that they are motivated by a mutual need to reproduce, but ultimately a relationship is a partnership between two or more people.
Family relationships, friendships, acquaintanceships, and romantic relationships
Relationship psychologists study romantic relationships.
According to some psychologists, sex is very important to a relationship as they are motivated by a a mutual desire to reproduce.
A polyamorous relationship is when one or both of the partners in a relationship engage in other relationships.
What are the main psychological theories of relationships based on?
Evolution, information sharing, physical attraction, and filtering.
What are the main psychological theories of relationship maintenance based on?
Economic metaphors.
What is self-disclosure?
Self-disclosure is when a potential partner shares information about themselves. Psychologists state that this is important in relationship formation (both in normal and virtual relationships) and maintenance.
Which theories explain parasocial relationships?
Attachment theory and the absorption addiction model
Who proposed a theory of relationship breakdown which progresses in stages?
Duck (2007)
List the different types of relationships.
Sexual relationships, romantic relationships and parasocial relationships.
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