Chapter 5: Connecting and Communicating in the Modern World © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Learning Outcomes Discuss the purpose and common forms of intimate relationships. Describe the types of social support available and the impact of social networks on health status. Discuss ways to improve communication skills and interpersonal interactions, particularly in the digital environment. Identify the characteristics of successful relationships, including how to overcome common conflicts, and discuss how to cope when relationships end. Compare and contrast the types of committed relationships and lifestyle choices. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Intimate Connections Intimate relationships are those with family members, close friends, and romantic partners, characterized by Behavioral interdependence Need fulfillment Emotional attachment Emotional availability © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Intimate Connections (cont.) Through relationships, we fulfill our needs for Intimacy Social integration Nurturance Assistance Affirmation People with positive, fulfilling relationships are 50 percent more likely to survive over time than are people in poor relationships. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Relating to Yourself Two concepts are important to any good relationship. Accountability: Both partners are responsible for their own decisions, choices, and actions. Self-nurturance: The development of individual potential through a balanced and realistic appreciation of self-worth and ability Self-esteem and self-concept are important factors that affect your ability to nurture yourself and to maintain healthy relationships with others, and include the way you define yourself (self-concept). Your perception and acceptance of yourself influences your relationship choices. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Family Relationships Family is a group of people with roles, tasks, boundaries, and personalities whose central focus is to protect, care for, love, and socialize with one another. Family of origin The people present in our household our first years of life—usually parents and siblings From these people, we initially learn about feelings, problem solving, love, intimacy, and gender roles. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Romantic Relationships Romantic relationships typically include all the characteristics of a friendship, as well as Fascination Exclusivity Sexual desire Giving the utmost Being a champion or advocate © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

ABC News Video: One Woman's Journey Through 100 Dates © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Theories of Love Anthropologist H. Fisher and others theorize love and attraction are based on brain circuitry and chemistry. Imprinting Attraction Attachment Production of a "cuddle chemical" called oxytocin © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Choosing a Romantic Partner Proximity—being in the same place at the same time Similarities—"opposites attract" usually isn't true Reciprocity—react with mutual regard Physical attraction —People seem to seek out "similarly attractive" partners, but as relationships evolve, status and personality become more important © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Building Communication Skills Learning appropriate self-disclosure Get to know yourself. Become more accepting of yourself. Be willing to discuss your sexual history. Choose a safe context for self disclosure. Be thoughtful about self-disclosure via social media. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Building Communication Skills (cont.) Becoming a better listener We listen best when We believe that the message is somehow important and relevant to us. The speaker holds our attention through humor, dramatic effect, use of media, or other techniques. We are in the mood to listen (free of distractions and worries). © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Building Communication Skills (cont.) Using nonverbal communication Touch Gestures Interpersonal space Facial expression Body language Tone of voice © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

He Says/She Says © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Managing Conflict through Communication Identify the problem or issues. Generate several possible solutions. Evaluate the alternative solutions. Decide on the best solution. Implement the solution. Follow up. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Relationships: For Better And Worse Characteristics of healthy relationships: Predictability Dependability Faith © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Confronting Couples Issues Jealousy in relationships An aversive reaction evoked by a real or imagined relationship involving one's partner and a third person Changing gender roles Our modern society has very few gender-specific roles. Sharing power Power dynamics between women and men have shifted. Compared to their husbands, 22 percent of women have higher incomes and 81 percent have a higher or equal education level. Unmet expectations Partners in healthy relationships can communicate wants and needs and have healthy discussions when things aren't going as planned. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Behaviors That Signal Relationship Trouble Criticism: complaints in terms of a partner's defect Defensiveness: righteous indignation as a form of self protection Stonewalling: withdrawing emotionally from a given interaction Contempt: talking down to a person © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

When and Why Relationships End Why do relationships end? Reasons include Illness Financial concerns Career problems Personal conflicts Unmet expectations Difference in sexual needs Conflict, negative interactions, and lack of respect © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Coping with Failed Relationships Acknowledge that you've gone through a rough spot. Let go of negative thought patterns. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Marriage, Partnering, and Singlehood Monogamy: exclusive sexual involvement with one partner Serial monogamy: a monogamous sexual relationship with one partner before moving on to the next monogamous relationship Open relationships: partners agree that there may be sexual involvement for each person outside of the marriage Cohabitation A relationship in which two unmarried people live with an intimate connection together in the same household Common-law marriage © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Marital Status of the U.S. Population by Sex © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.

Same Sex Relationships and Staying Single Gay and lesbian partnerships The American Community Survey identified 726,600 same-sex couples. Thirty-five percent of these couples are married. Staying single Of women aged 20 to 34, 57 percent have never been married according to data from the most recent census. Of men aged 20 to 34, 67 percent remain unmarried. © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.