The Science of Intimate Relationships

The Science of Intimate Relationships represents the first full–blooded interdisciplinary approach to the hard science behind the nature of human sexual relationships. In this elegantly written new text, an international team of authors led by the acclaimed relationship expert Garth Fletcher present and integrate the latest findings in the fields of social psychology, evolutionary psychology, life–history theory, human sexuality, neuroscience and biology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and clinical psychology. Through erudite and balanced analyses, the authors shed new light on the complex links among human nature, culture, and intimate relationships, as well as outlining related controversies. Topics covered include intimate relationships in terms of both mind and body; bonding from infancy to adulthood; selecting mates; love; communication and interaction; sex; passion; relationship dissolution; violence; and mind–reading. While highlighting recent advances in the field, the text maintains a careful balance between scientific rigor and an engaging, reader–friendly approach. The Science of Intimate Relationships offers a wealth of thought–provoking insights into the science behind the initiation, maintenance, and termination of sexual relationships.

About the Authors xv Preface xvi Part One: Introduction 1 1 The Science of Intimate Relationships 3 2 Intimate Relationships in Context: Key Theories, Concepts, and Human Nature 14 Part Two: Th e Relationship Animal 39 3 The Intimate Relationship Mind 41 4 The Intimate Relationship Body 69 Part Th ree: Beginning Relationships: Att achment and Mate Selection 97 5 Born to Bond: from Infancy to Adulthood 99 6 Selecting Mates 125 Part Four: Maintaining Relationships:the Psychology of Intimacy 155 7 Love, Sweet Love 157 8 Reading Minds, Partners, and Relationships 184 9 Communication and Interaction 210 10 Sex and Passion 236 11 Relationship Violence 259 Part Five: Ending Relationships: the Causes and Consequences of Relationship Dissolution 285 12 Relationship Dissolution 287 Part Six: Conclusion 313 13 Assembling t he Relationship Jigsaw 315 Glossary 327 References 338 Author Index 383 Subject Index 390

Garth Fletcher is Professor of Psychology at Victoria University Wellington. He is a fellow of five societies including the Royal Society of New Zealand , the Association for Psychological Science , and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and has been associate editor of both Personal Relationships and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology . Fletcher has published over 100 articles and book chapters, and has authored and edited 6 books .     Jeffry A. Simpson is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Doctoral Minor in Interpersonal Relationships (IREL) at the University of Minnesota. He has been the editor of the journal Personal Relationships and is currently the editor of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: Interpersonal Relations and Group Processes (JPSP–IRGP). Simpson is the incoming president of the International Association for Relationship Research , and has published nearly 200 articles and chapters along with several edited books. Lorne Campbell is Associate Professor of Psychology the University of Western Ontario. He has published over 40 articles and book chapters, serves on the editorial board of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , and has been the editor of the journal Personal Relationships . Nickola Overall is Senior Lecturer of Psychology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She has published over 35 articles and book chapters, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , and is currently associate editor for Personal Relationships .

“…An essential read for budding relationships experts.”  ( Psychology Today , 30 April 2013)