Psychology of Love and Relationships

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Questions and Answers

What is the general emphasis of relationships in terms of human needs?

They are less important than material needs.

They are crucial for physical and psychological well-being. (correct)

They often lead to increased feelings of loneliness.

They can be ignored without consequences.

What happens to passionate love over time according to the content provided?

It diminishes entirely by a year.

It typically intensifies indefinitely.

It usually transforms into companionate love. (correct)

It converts into friendship without romantic feelings.

Which of the following is NOT a sign of physiological arousal in passionate love?

Sweating.

Increased heart rate.

Intense sexual attraction.

Feeling grounded and secure. (correct)

According to the Investment Model, what does commitment signify in relationships?

The intention to persist in relationships over time. Signup and view all the answers

What component is considered its own construct rather than a subtype in Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of love?

Commitment. Signup and view all the answers

How is companionate love characterized?

Recognition of a partner's imperfections and willingness to make it work. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how do same-sex relationships reportedly compare to different-sex relationships?

They break up more frequently. Signup and view all the answers

Which describes the emotional state of passionate love?

Extreme elation when together, and immense sadness when apart. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe Mark's identity as a man when he was assigned female at birth?

Transgender Signup and view all the answers

What do 'internal working models' refer to in the context of attachment?

Initial expectancies formed with caregivers Signup and view all the answers

What is a common concern for heterosexual women and gay men regarding their relationships?

Concerns about emotional involvement from partners Signup and view all the answers

What is the practice often discussed as problematic regarding the treatment of intersex infants?

Performing genital altering surgery without consent Signup and view all the answers

What is an influence on romantic relationships based on early life experiences?

Internal working models from caregivers Signup and view all the answers

How do heteronormative beliefs manifest in concerns about parenting in heterosexual men?

Worries about investing resources into children Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the difference between assigned gender and biological sex?

Assigned gender is what is perceived at birth, while biological sex may differ. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reaction of intersex individuals upon learning about surgical alterations made in their infancy?

Anger and disappointment over lack of consent Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Relationships and Well-being

Humans desire social connection and belonging.
Relationships contribute to physical and psychological well-being.

Love

Love is a complex combination of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in intimate relationships.
Passionate love is an intense, all-consuming state that typically fades over time.
Passionate love involves preoccupation with a partner, "rose-tinted glasses" perception, and intense physical attraction.
Companionate love involves recognizing and appreciating a partner's imperfections, and striving to overcome challenges in the relationship.
Passionate love often evolves into companionate love after 6 to 30 months.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love

Defines love as a combination of three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.
Various combinations of these components result in eight different types of love.

Lee's Styles of Love

Explores various styles of love, such as eros (passionate), ludus (playful), and storge (companionate).

Commitment

Considered a subtype of love in Triangular Theory but is now viewed as a distinct construct.
The Investment Model emphasizes the intention to persist in a relationship over time.

Investment Model

Highlights factors influencing commitment, including satisfaction, alternatives, and investments.

Commitment in Same-Sex and Different-Sex Relationships

Research suggests higher rates of breakups in same-sex relationships compared to different-sex relationships.
Possible explanations include societal stigma and lack of legal recognition.

Attachment Style

Reflects individual differences in emotional security and comfort in relationships.
Based on early childhood experiences with caregivers, influencing expectations in adult relationships.

Attachment Across the Lifespan

Initial attachment styles developed with caregivers shape expectations in later relationships.
These internal working models generalize to peers and romantic partners.

Commitment Concerns in Relationships

Heterosexual men may be concerned about paternity uncertainty and resource allocation to non-biological children.
Heterosexual women and gay men might worry about resource loss if a partner leaves the relationship.
General concerns include emotional and physical infidelity.

Assigned Gender vs. Biological Sex

Individuals may be assigned a gender at birth that differs from their biological sex.
Examples include intersex individuals, where biological sex is not clearly male or female.
Historically, ambiguous genitalia led to medical interventions and assigning a gender.
This practice is now considered problematic due to its irreversible nature and potential for future distress.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of love and relationships through this quiz. Learn about passionate and companionate love, as well as theories such as Sternberg's Triangular Theory and Lee's Styles of Love. Understand how these concepts contribute to well-being and social connection.