1. REMINDERS: This is the last lecture.
Psychology 137C: Intimate Relationships Week 10, Lecture 1: Integration
REMINDERS:
This is the last lecture.
The final will be in this room during lecture on Friday (June 4th).
Course evaluations will be distributed after lecture today.
The review session for the final will begin after the evals are turned in.

2. Any Questions?

3. The Question
If everyone agrees that intimate relationships are to be desired, why do they often fail?
Every lecture has addressed piece of this question in some way.
Today, we try to tie it all together.

4. Elements of An Answer There may be only three types of variables:
Enduring traits
Adaptive processes
External circumstances

5. Assembling a Model What is the engine of change?
Ultimately, everything that affects relationships must do so by affecting the interactions between the partners.
Thus, adaptive processes are the engine of change.

6. Assembling a Model Where do adaptive processes come from?
Why are some couples better than others at communicating, showing affection, resolving problems, etc.?
Two answers:
Characteristics of the partners
Characteristics of their environment

7. The Stress - Vulnerability - Adaptation Model
Barriers and alternatives
Enduring Characteristics
Initial
Satisfaction
Adaptive
Processes
Change in
Satisfaction
Stay together
or break up
External
Stressors

8. Concluding Comments
How have relationships changed over the past few decades?
What remains the same?
What does this mean for us personally?
It may be that future couples will be increasingly challenged to define the terms of their relationships for themselves. They may have to negotiate roles and expectations that prior generations, and even modern couples, take for granted. For some couples, this may be a burden, and the need for each couple to define their own intimacy may make their relationships harder. But it may also make them better.