1. The Psychology Behind Romantic Relationships Kelly Matheson July 27, 2009

3. 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

4. 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 …

5. Physical Attractiveness

6. 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

8. 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

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

10. Companionate Love

11. 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

12. Abusive Relationships

13. Gay Relationships

14. 3. Breaking Up