Intimate Relationships: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?

Intimate Relationships: Where have we been? Where are we going? is an innovative text that focuses on the interpersonal dynamics of couples, and on the dynamics of couples in-context. We explore how intimate relationships evolve and develop – and how they succeed or fail. We talk about a variety of important relationship topics and skills, including early attachment, courtship and dating, marriage, sexuality, gender, power, communication, conflict resolution, relationship problems (e.g., abuse, infidelity, divorce), couples' enrichment, and couplehood over the life-course. The science of these foci as studied by sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists, historians, couple and family therapists, and family social scientists is incorporated throughout. This revised text was written in collaboration with students (undergraduate, graduate) and alumni from the University of Minnesota – all connected through an extraordinary class about some of the most important things in our lives: love, intimacy, healing, and growth.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Acknowledgment Introduction Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT; Lisa J. Trump, Ph.D., LMFT; Jaime Ballard, Ph.D.; Elizabeth J. Plowman, Ph.D. Learning about Intimacy (without the infomercial) Approaches to Teaching Intimacy Approaches to Understanding Intimacy Motivations for Learning (and Acting upon Learning) about Intimacy And So, our Journey begins… Chapter 1 Intimacy: What Is It? How Do We Develop It? Lisa J. Trump, Ph.D., LMFT; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT Evolutionary Theory of Attraction Filter Theory of Attraction Wheel of Love Triangular Theory Love Styles Putting it all Together Chapter 2 Attachment: How Where We Have Been Influences What We Do in Relationships Kirsten Lind Seal, Ph.D., LMFT; Jennifer L. Doty, Ph.D., CFLE Attachment Theory Attachment in Romantic Relationships So What? What Now? Chapter 3 Personality and Intimate Relationships Noah E. Gagner, M.A., M.Ed.; Lisa J. Trump, Ph.D., LMFT What is Personality? Assessments of Personality Personality and Dating Personality and Social Media Application Chapter 4 Gender Socialization and Relationship Formation: What Is It and What Has It Got To Do with Me? Jane E. Newell, Ph.D.; Anna Bohlinger, Ph.D., LMFT Gender Socialization and Relationship Formation The Feminine Mystique: Consumerism and the Post-War Era Gender and Culture Gender and Religion Chapter 5 Social and Cultural Contexts of Meeting and Dating Jennifer L. Doty, Ph.D., CFLE; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT; Jonathan J. Kleba A Short History Lesson: Social Contexts and Relationships Relationships in Today's Market Economy Technology in Relationships What We Don't Know Discussion Chapter 6 Dances of Intimacy: Patterns of Communication, Boundaries, and Barriers Kirsten Lind Seal, Ph.D., LMFT; Elizabeth J. Plowman, Ph.D.; Jaime Ballard, Ph.D. Communication Dances of Intimacy So Really—How Do We Change? Conclusion: When Intimacy Dances Work Chapter 7 Boundaries: Where I End and You Begin Elizabeth J. Plowman, Ph.D.; Damir Utrzan, Ph.D., LMFT What are Boundaries? The Ripple Effect of Relationship Ponds: Family Systems Theory Chapter 8 Authenticity in Intimate Relationships Anna Bohlinger, Ph.D., LMFT; Elizabeth J. Plowman, Ph.D.; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT What Do We Know? Authenticity and Social Change The Johari Window Why Didn't You Call: The Subjective Version Chapter 9 Intimacy Killers Jennifer L. Doty, Ph.D., CFLE; Carrie L. Hanson, Ph.D., LMFT; Matthew A. Witham, Ph.D., LMFT; Alejandra Ochoa; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT The Four Horsemen Couples and Money Jealousy Infidelity Violence and Relationships Alcohol and Relationships What We Don't Know Application Chapter 10 Intimacy Healers Christina J. Robert, Ph.D., LMFT; Anna Bohlinger, Ph.D., LMFT; Holli M. Kelly-Trombley, Ph.D., LMFT; Lisa J. Trump, Ph.D., LMFT The Sound Relational House Love Languages Communicating Your Love Language Chapter 11 Uncharted Territory: Long Distance Relationships in College-Age Commuters Polina N. Levchenko, Ph.D.; Cigdem Yumbul, Ph.D.; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT Long-Distance Relationships Among Young Adults Common Myths About Long Distance Relationships Review of What We Know about LDRs Specific Cases of LDRs Succeeding in an LDR What We Don't Know Chapter 12 The Influence of Culture on Relationships Tisa Mitchell, M.S.; Dung M. Mao, Ph.D.; Meghan N. Mao, RN Race, Culture, and Ethnicity Minority Groups in the United States Intermarriage: History to Present Day Ethnicity and Intermarriage Challenges for Minority Families Integrating into the United States Cultural Competence Future Research on Culture in Relationships Chapter 13 Religion and Spirituality in Intimate Relationships Julie Zaloudek, Ph.D.; Gregg Schacher, Ph.D., LMFT; Elizabeth J. Plowman, Ph.D. Religion and Spirituality What We Don't Know Chapter 14 The Role of Ritual in Relationships Elizabeth J. Plowman, Ph.D.; Gregg Schacher, Ph.D., LMFT What We Know about Family and Couple Rituals What We Don't Know Chapter 15 Sexual Intimacy Lisa J. Trump, Ph.D., LMFT; Polina N. Levchenko, Ph.D.; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT; Brian Willoughby, Ph.D. Sexuality: Physiology or Psychology? Sexuality with Friends and Strangers Case Vignette Part II: Differing Histories Sexuality within Intimate Relationships Areas for Further Development Chapter 16 LGBTQ+ Relationships Emily Schommer, CPhT, BS; Kyle Zrenchik, Ph.D., ACS, LMFT; Anna Bohlinger, Ph.D., LMFT; Dylan Struwe; Jeni Whalig, Ph.D., LMFT; G. Carnes Defining Identities within the LGBTQ+ Community Common Experiences of LGBTQ+ Individuals Religious Resistance and Support Additional Experiences of LGBTQ+ Relationships Reflection Questions Chapter 17 Compassion & Forgiveness in Intimate Relationships Mary Kelleher, Ph.D., LMFT; Kirsten Lind Seal, Ph.D., LMFT; Jaime Ballard, Ph.D.; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT Compassion Forgiveness Compassion and Forgiveness Together Chapter 18 Relationships Across the Lifespan J. Max Zubatsky, Ph.D.; LMFT; Stephanie Trudeau, Ph.D. Long-Lived Relationships Sustaining Long-lived Relationships Theories about Long-Lived Relationships Relationship Decisions Stressors in Long-Lived Relationships What Would You Do? Chapter 19 Are Intimate Relationships Good for Your Health? Diego Garcia-Huidobro, M.D., Ph.D.; Jerica M. Berge, Ph.D., MPH, LMFT, CFLE The Intersection of Intimate Relationships and Health Intimate Relationships and Health Behaviors Intimate Relationships and Chronic Disease Intimate Relationships and Mental Health Theoretical Explanations Regarding the Connection between Intimate Relationships and Health Family Communication and Health Strengthening Intimate Relationships to Improve Health Chapter 20 Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going? Charting the Course in Our Intimate Journeys Elizabeth J. Plowman, Ph.D.; Lisa J. Trump, Ph.D., LMFT; Tai J. Mendenhall, Ph.D., LMFT What is Intimacy? Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going? Author Bios