The Science of Intimate Relationships

by Garth J.O. Fletcher, Jeffry A. Simpson, Lorne Campbell

Provides a unique interdisciplinary approach to the science of intimate human relationships   This newly updated edition of a popular text is the first to present a full-blooded interdisciplinary and theoretically coherent approach to the latest scientific findings relating to human sexual relationships. Written by recognized leaders in the field in a style that is rigorous yet accessible, it looks beyond the core knowledge in social and evolutionary psychology to incorporate material and perspectives from cognitive science (including brain-imaging studies), developmental psychology, anthropology, comparative psychology, clinical psychology, genetic research, sociology, and biology. Written by an international team of acclaimed experts in the field, The Science of Intimate Relationships offers a wealth of thought-provoking ideas and insights into the science behind the initiation, maintenance, and termination of romantic relationships. The 2 nd Edition features two new chapters on health and relationships, and friends and family, both of which shed new light on the complex links among human nature, culture, and romantic love. It covers key topics such as mate selection, attachment theory, love, communication, sex, relationship dissolution, violence, mind-reading, and the relationship brain.  The Science of Intimate Relationships, 2 nd Edition is designed for upper-level undergraduate students of human sexuality, psychology, anthropology, and other related fields.

Genres: Psychology

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Julie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to have the opportunity to take a class on this topic with one of the authors, Jeffry Simpson. The class was structured around this book and was incredibly informative. There are two key theses of the book, first, that the study of intimate relationships is more informative if it takes a multidisciplinary approach and, second, that while common wisdom can be a helpful guide in choosing important themes to study, common knowledge conclusions are not always borne out by the science.

A multidisciplinary approach, in the context of this book, includes evolutionary biology, anthropology, sociology, family psychology, social psychology, and neurology - from distal (evolutionary) explanations of behaviors to the proximal: the influences of specific interpersonal interactions.

The book does a good job of presenting the major models used to describe relationship function, and individual behaviors as they relate to interpersonal interactions. What I particularly liked about this book is how they would refer forward or backward in the book to connected concepts or models to reinforce their significance. They were also mindful to discuss how the research elucidated non-heterosexual relationships.

From a more personal perspective, it just did a good job of describing all of the forces that shape perspective and behavior of individuals in intimate interpersonal relationships. I took the class, primarily, to help me better understand two particularly important relationships in my life - one romantic and one not. I did feel like I better understand both people and why our interactions take the shape they do, and I also better understand how much of our interpersonal behavior is individual and automatic - a result of evolutionary forces and the sum of the dyadic interaction more than the hopes or desires of any one individual.

The book is also generally well-written, with excellent chapter introductions and summaries, it does a good job of referencing replicated and current studies of scholars in the relevant fields.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this textbook for a psych class of the same name. Before the start of the class my professor prefaced that much of psychological research on relationships have focused on white, middle-class, heterosexual couples so what we read couldn't necessary apply in the same way for couples of color, of different sexual preferences, etc.

Given the preface, I though the textbook was one of the more accessible psych textbooks I've had.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good, accessible

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great textbook for those interested in the psychology of romantic relationships. The writing is accessible and the concepts clear to understand. I had the pleasure of having one of the authors of this textbook as a professor for such a course.