1. Social Connections 1 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

2. Relationships are at the heart of human experience Family Community Classmates, teammates, colleagues Acquaintances, friends, sexual partners Relationships are fraught with difficulties Divorce Single-parent and blended families Living alone “Hooking up” 2 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

3. Relationships begin with who you are as an individual and what you bring to the relationship Examples of important attributes are: A reasonably high self-esteem A capacity for empathy The ability both to be alone and to be with others 3 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

4. Friendship is a reciprocal relationship based on mutual liking and caring, respect and trust, interest and companionship Considered longer-lasting and more stable compared to romantic relationships Offers a psychological and emotional buffer against stress, anxiety, and depression Networks that provide social support also increase one’s sense of self-worth 4 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

5. Independence and maturity Self-esteem and mutual respect Good communication Open expression of sexual affection and respect Enjoy spending time together in leisure activities Acknowledge strengths and failings Assertive and flexible in wants and needs Handle conflict constructively Friends as well as lovers; unselfish caring Good family and friend relationships Shared spiritual values 5 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

6. © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

7. People seem to use a systematic screening process when deciding if someone could be a potential partner Factors that promote attraction are: Proximity or familiarity Physical attractiveness Similar characteristics, including values and attitudes 7 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

8. Indirectness is not an effective strategy People who are straightforward and respectful in developing a relationship are more likely to get a positive response Partners are often found through social connections The Internet is playing a larger role Geography a less significant factor Online social networking Importance of caution: How much do you really know about the person? 8 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

9. Take things slowly; reveal information about yourself gradually. Do not feel the need to become physically involved right away; become friends first. Get to know the person’s friends and family members if you can. Keep in mind that traits you dislike in the beginning will probably bother you more as time goes by. Be honest about who you are. © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. © Stockbyte/Picture Quest

10. © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved. 10 Sternberg’s triangular theory of love.

11. Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, body position and movement, and spatial behavior Nonverbal and verbal communication cues make up the metamessage, or the unspoken message you send or get when communicating 11 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

12. © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Communication

13. When you speak, know your feelings, motives, and intentions Use “I” statements “I feel…when you…” vs. “You make me feel…” As a listener, give the other person time and space Good communication skills help make conflict constructive Assertiveness: speaking up for yourself without violating someone else’s rights 13 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

14. Cohesion: the dynamic balance between separateness and togetherness in both couple and family relationships Relationships are strongest when there is a balance between intimacy and autonomy Flexibility: the dynamic balance between stability and change Communication is the tool that partners and families use to adjust levels of cohesion or flexibility when change is needed 14 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

15. Community: group of people connected in a way that transcends casual attachment Typically, shared common goals and sense of belonging Being active in a community is likely to have a positive impact on health Positive relationships within a community are essential to personal health and growth Improve self-esteem Improve social capital: sharing and exchanging of resources 15 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

16. Fulfilling community participation requires an understanding of your values, what gives your life meaning, and what you want to accomplish Value system: set of guidelines for how you want to live your life Values underlie moral principles and behavior Meaning in life comes from using one’s strengths to serve a larger end When you identify and pursue personal goals, you take responsibility for yourself and your life 16 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

17. Religious and spiritual communities Spirituality: experience of connection to self, others, and larger community, providing sense of purpose and meaning Spiritually connected people stay healthier and live longer Spiritual connectedness is associated with high levels of health-related quality of life Social activism and the global community Social causes can unite people from diverse backgrounds for a common good Peace Corps; Habitat for Humanity; Greenpeace; Earth Charter Initiative; others? 17 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.

18. Volunteering People who give time, money, support to others are likely to be more satisfied with their lives One-on-one contact and direct involvement are key to positive effects Service learning Meant to teach how to take the risk of getting involved in the lives of others The arts Embracing diverse cultures past and present; expressing inner thoughts and feelings Internet communities 18 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education. All Rights Reserved.