Syllabus
Discussion Posts- 2-3 paragraphs ball park
Midterm Paper due June 2nd
I. Relationships
• Intimate relationships are important due to "the need to belong", Baumeister & Leary
1995
o "Longer healthier happier lives" Loving & Sbarra 2015
o "We are wired for close connection with others and this connection is vital to
our survival" Johnson 2019
o Stretch perspectives, shapes our view on life and how we interact with others
o Help obtain resources we cannot get on our own
o Bring awareness to different problems
• What makes Intimate (family, partner, friends) relationships different than casual
associations (strangers, coworkers, etc.) ?
o More freedom to be ourselves in intimate relationships
o More boundaries in casual associations
o Depth of connection in intimate relationships, more one sided with strangers
• 7 ways intimate relationships differ:
o Knowledge- personal and confidential knowledge that "casual" associations
don’t have.
• E.g. personal experiences and issues, life adversities, past trauma,
insecurities, likes/dislikes, personal opinions and thoughts, goals and
plans for the future
o Interdependence- extent to which we need and influence each other in
intimate relationships, more frequency, meaningful, diverse and enduring
(Fitzsimons et al., 2015; Berscheid et al., 2004)
o Caring, trust, responsiveness- intimate partners care more and feel more
affection for one another, trust one another and intimacy increases as
partners are responsive to our needs.
o Mutuality- Think of themselves as "us" not me and them - Davis and Weigel
2020.
o Commitment- Intimate partners are committed to their relationships, they
expect partnership to continue and invest in the relationship to keep it going
• E.g. How might intimate relationships showcase commitment? Open
communication, acts of service/support without expecting anything in
return, showing up for someone unconditionally, forgiveness,
marriage/children, effort to integrate lives together. celebration of
milestones
• How have intimate relationships changed over time?
o How are they depicted today? Progressive, LGBTQ+, less of a norm to get
married earlier, diverse relationship structures, divorce rates
o How were they depicted in the past? Heteronormative, marry young,
commitment due to duty, necessity.
o Commitment is less important than love
• Relationships then vs now
o Demographic shifts: lower marriage rates, more cohabitation, people taking
longer to marry, fewer kids
o Economic changes: allowing for greater independence and wealth
o Technological and Medical Advancements: birth control, smartphones,
online dating and more
o Social change: such as shifts in gender and other norms/stereotypes
