The Psychology Behind Romantic Relationships Kelly Matheson July 27, 2009

Main Topics How people become attracted to other people 2. Some of the different relationships there are and what makes couples stay together 3. The process of breaking up and the psychological affects

How people become attracted to other people

1. Attraction Proximity Effect : the more we meet and interact with people, the more likely we are to become friends with them. Similarity : Birds of a feather flock together Opposites attract

Reciprocal Liking : knowing someone likes us fuels our attraction and can even make up for the absence of similarity But above proximity, similarity, and reciprocal liking is …

Physical Attractiveness

Men tend to go for youth and attractiveness (signs of fertility) Women tend to go for men of status and wealth (resources for offspring); physical attractiveness weighs less The more economic power a woman has,the more that physical attractiveness becomes important

Attractive Faces Both sexes prefer feminine faces Large eyes Slender nose Slim face High cheek bones Less eyebrow hair http://www.unl.edu/rhames/courses/male_facial_beauty.htm

Large eyes

Slender nose

Slim face

High cheek bones

Less eyebrow hair

2. Relationships Secure Attachment Style : maintain high levels of commitment, satisfaction, and trust, and low levels of cost over time Handbook of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability by Jeffery M. Adams, Warren H. Jones, 1999, (114) Avoidant Attachment Style : have high thresholds for falling in love and making commitments; even when they are in a romantic relationship, they tend to maintain a distance Anxious Attachment Style : have a low threshold for creating romantic relationships and making commitments; appear to form emotional bonds very quickly

Handbook of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability by Jeffrey M. Adams, Warren H. Jones, 1999, (114).

Companionate Love

Cultures practicing arranged marriages (usually collectivist societies) tend to have family-based marriages. Western cultures tend to focus more on the individual and the pursuit of romantic love. Arranged Marriages

Abusive Relationships

Gay Relationships

3. Breaking Up