Formation of Intimate Relationships: Formation of Intimate Relationships


Romantic Love: Romantic Love Romantic love is closely associated with marriage, cohabitation, and sexual intimacy. The sociological definition of Romantic Love Romantic Love as a social invention


The History of Romantic Love: The History of Romantic Love Ancient Greece: Philos (or Storge) Agape Eros Other types: Ludus, Pragma and Mania all listed in White et al.


Homosexual Love: Homosexual Love Why did homosexual love occur? 1. Women as inferior in all aspects. 2. The best army contained love.


Ancient Rome: Ancient Rome Love relationships as heterosexual. Arranged marriages Sex and romance in affairs only. The rise of Christianity


The Rise of Christianity: The Rise of Christianity Idealization of women as non-sexual beings. Sexual women stigmatized. Middle Ages and Feudal Europe


From 16th Century to Present…: From 16th Century to Present… 1. Protestant Reformation 2. Urbanization 3. Industrialization Breadwinner Family Model Philos, agape and eros are provided by women


To cont….: To cont…. Four major factors connecting romantic love and marriage… Varies cross-culturally: India vs. Canada/U.S Theories of Romantic Love: 1. Schacter’s Component Theory- The Stockholm syndrome.


Schacter’s Theory cont…: Schacter’s Theory cont… Two opposing emotions can lead to romantic love. In order to experience romantic love it must be a prominent social symbol. Anger, fear and sexual arousal cause the same physiological responses Horror movies while dating…..


Wheel of Love Theory: Wheel of Love Theory How love emerges within the life cycle of a couple. The four stages of romantic love: 1. The rapport stage 2. The Self-Evaluation Stage 3. Mutual Dependency Stage 4. Basic Personality Stage


Wheel of Love cont…: Wheel of Love cont… Evidence of the theory… Less rapport Less self-revelation Less mutual dependency Less basic personality The major implication of Reiss’ theory: the pluses.


Throughout the 19th Century: Throughout the 19th Century A steady decline in community and parental influence in mate selection: 1. Urban/Industrialization 2. Romantic Love 3. Educational Reform 4. Rise of Consumer Economy 5. Individualism


Since the mid 1960s: Since the mid 1960s Dating- flexible and extended 1. Earlier Age 2. Adulthood 3. Full years 4. Gender Equality 5. Contraception


Dating cont…: Dating cont… Average of 10 to 15 years of dating with 20 or more people Contemporary dating… Dating extended to the mid 20s… The functions of dating


Theories of Mate Selection: Theories of Mate Selection 1. Parental Image Theory: Psychoanalytic theory The Oedipus and Electra Complex The opposite parent complex Cases of clinical population


Complimentary Needs Theory: Complimentary Needs Theory Robert Winch Mate selection is homogonous Opposites attract Is it true?


Value Theory: Value Theory Choosing people who are similar The role of values in mate selection… Validation of ourselves Marital homogeny explained Values Theory holds that: 1. Similar backgrounds 2. Mutual reward 3. Desire to continue relationship


Role Theory and Exchange Theory: Role Theory and Exchange Theory Roles are: Role consensus as a crucial factor Role discrepancies = less chance of marriage Exchange Theory: Goal oriented Reciprocity Lack of a better alternative


Stimulus-Value Role Theory: Stimulus-Value Role Theory Bernard Murstein Mate selection as a three stage process: 1. Stimulus stage 2. Value comparison stage 3. Role stage


Various other elements in mate selection: Various other elements in mate selection Race/ethnicity Age Religious affiliation Sexual orientation Homosexual men Homosexual women


Internet dating: Internet dating A level playground without restraints and limits Lawson and Leck Feeling of inhibition Abilities to control Reduction in anxiety


Premarital Sex Standards: Premarital Sex Standards Abstinence Double standard Permissiveness with affection Permissiveness without affection


Why??????: Why?????? Family is built upon theories of dating and marriage patterns…. Family structure and dynamics….


Happy Thanksgiving and Have a Good Study Break!: Happy Thanksgiving and Have a Good Study Break!