Intimate Relationships
Second Edition
Wind Goodfriend
- Buena Vista University
Gary W. Lewandowski
- Monmouth University
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Go to College Publishing WebsiteDescription
Intimate Relationships offers a comprehensive and contemporary exploration of the science behind human connection. Award-winning teachers and writers, Wind Goodfriend and new co-author Gary W. Lewandowski Jr., bring a fresh, inclusive, and engaging approach to the study of relationships by integrating family and friendship dynamics alongside romantic relationships, and by emphasizing research methods, open science, and key psychological theories. The new Second Edition continues to engage today’s students by applying relationship science to real-world examples and offering practical tools to help students apply what they learn to their own lives. With over 500 new references, fresh popular culture examples, and the new feature “Making Use of Relationship Science” in every chapter, this edition offers a current and compelling look at relationships in the modern age.
Contents
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- Chapter 1: An Introduction to Relationship Science
- Why Study Relationship Science?
- What Are Different Kinds of Intimate Relationships?
- How Is this Book Organized?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 2: Research Methods and Analysis
- What Research Methods Help Us Understand Relationships?
- How Do We Analyze Results?
- What Is “Open Science”?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 3: Friendship and Singlehood
- What Predicts How and When Friendships Will Form?
- How Do Friendships Change Over Time, and How Can Healthy Friendships Be Maintained?
- Why Do Some People Choose Singlehood Versus Commitment to a Relationship Partner?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 4: Attraction
- What Physical Factors Predict Attraction?
- What Psychological Factors Predict Attraction?
- What Environmental Factors Predict Attraction?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 5: The Evolutionary Perspective
- How Is an Evolutionary Perspective Applied to Intimate Relationships?
- How Does the Evolutionary Perspective Explain Sex Differences in Promiscuity and Jealousy?
- How Can the Evolutionary Perspective Apply to Other Important Relationship Behaviors?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 6: Attachment Theory
- What Is Attachment Theory, and How Was It Formed?
- How Is Attachment Theory Applied to Adult Relationships?
- What Are Important Questions for and About Attachment Theory?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 7: Interdependence Theory
- What Are the Main Ideas Within Interdependence Theory?
- What Factors Predict Relationship Commitment and Stability?
- What Advances to Interdependence Theory Have Been Made?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 8: Social Cognition
- How Do We Form and Maintain Impressions?
- How Are We Biased Toward Our Current Partner?
- How Do Our Worldviews Affect Our Relationships?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 9: Modern Dating in a Digital Age
- How Has the Modern Landscape of Dating and Relationships Changed?
- How Do People Navigate the Complexities of Online Dating?
- What Are the Main Challenges in Modern Dating?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 10: Sexuality
- How Does Sexual Identity Vary?
- How Does Culture Influence Sexuality?
- How Can Sexual Experiences Be More Satisfying?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 11: Communication and Conflict
- How Can Communication Build Intimacy in Relationships?
- What Are Common Stresses and Strains in Relationships?
- How Do People in Relationships Engage in Conflict Management?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 12: Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence
- What Does Research Say About Sexual Assault and Rape?
- What Does Relationship Violence Look Like?
- How Do Survivors Escape and Heal?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 13: Dissolution and Divorce
- How Do People Decide to End Their Relationship?
- What Predicts Breakup and Divorce?
- What Does Life Look Like After a Relationship Ends?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 14: Enduring Love
- What Can People Do to Maintain Healthy Relationships Over Time?
- What Can Couple Members Do to Understand and Cope with Relationship Problems?
- Can Counseling Help Couples Overcome Relationship Problems?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
Glossary
Glossary
References
References
Index
Index
Additional materials
Description
Intimate Relationships offers a comprehensive and contemporary exploration of the science behind human connection. Award-winning teachers and writers, Wind Goodfriend and new co-author Gary W. Lewandowski Jr., bring a fresh, inclusive, and engaging approach to the study of relationships by integrating family and friendship dynamics alongside romantic relationships, and by emphasizing research methods, open science, and key psychological theories. The new Second Edition continues to engage today’s students by applying relationship science to real-world examples and offering practical tools to help students apply what they learn to their own lives. With over 500 new references, fresh popular culture examples, and the new feature “Making Use of Relationship Science” in every chapter, this edition offers a current and compelling look at relationships in the modern age.
Contents
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- Chapter 1: An Introduction to Relationship Science
- Why Study Relationship Science?
- What Are Different Kinds of Intimate Relationships?
- How Is this Book Organized?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 2: Research Methods and Analysis
- What Research Methods Help Us Understand Relationships?
- How Do We Analyze Results?
- What Is “Open Science”?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 3: Friendship and Singlehood
- What Predicts How and When Friendships Will Form?
- How Do Friendships Change Over Time, and How Can Healthy Friendships Be Maintained?
- Why Do Some People Choose Singlehood Versus Commitment to a Relationship Partner?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 4: Attraction
- What Physical Factors Predict Attraction?
- What Psychological Factors Predict Attraction?
- What Environmental Factors Predict Attraction?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 5: The Evolutionary Perspective
- How Is an Evolutionary Perspective Applied to Intimate Relationships?
- How Does the Evolutionary Perspective Explain Sex Differences in Promiscuity and Jealousy?
- How Can the Evolutionary Perspective Apply to Other Important Relationship Behaviors?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 6: Attachment Theory
- What Is Attachment Theory, and How Was It Formed?
- How Is Attachment Theory Applied to Adult Relationships?
- What Are Important Questions for and About Attachment Theory?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 7: Interdependence Theory
- What Are the Main Ideas Within Interdependence Theory?
- What Factors Predict Relationship Commitment and Stability?
- What Advances to Interdependence Theory Have Been Made?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 8: Social Cognition
- How Do We Form and Maintain Impressions?
- How Are We Biased Toward Our Current Partner?
- How Do Our Worldviews Affect Our Relationships?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 9: Modern Dating in a Digital Age
- How Has the Modern Landscape of Dating and Relationships Changed?
- How Do People Navigate the Complexities of Online Dating?
- What Are the Main Challenges in Modern Dating?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 10: Sexuality
- How Does Sexual Identity Vary?
- How Does Culture Influence Sexuality?
- How Can Sexual Experiences Be More Satisfying?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 11: Communication and Conflict
- How Can Communication Build Intimacy in Relationships?
- What Are Common Stresses and Strains in Relationships?
- How Do People in Relationships Engage in Conflict Management?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 12: Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence
- What Does Research Say About Sexual Assault and Rape?
- What Does Relationship Violence Look Like?
- How Do Survivors Escape and Heal?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 13: Dissolution and Divorce
- How Do People Decide to End Their Relationship?
- What Predicts Breakup and Divorce?
- What Does Life Look Like After a Relationship Ends?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 14: Enduring Love
- What Can People Do to Maintain Healthy Relationships Over Time?
- What Can Couple Members Do to Understand and Cope with Relationship Problems?
- Can Counseling Help Couples Overcome Relationship Problems?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
Glossary
Glossary
References
References
Index
Index
Additional materials
Reviews
January 2026 | 608 pages | Sage US
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|
Intimate Relationships offers a comprehensive and contemporary exploration of the science behind human connection. Award-winning teachers and writers, Wind Goodfriend and new co-author Gary W. Lewandowski Jr., bring a fresh, inclusive, and engaging approach to the study of relationships by integrating family and friendship dynamics alongside romantic relationships, and by emphasizing research methods, open science, and key psychological theories. The new Second Edition continues to engage today’s students by applying relationship science to real-world examples and offering practical tools to help students apply what they learn to their own lives. With over 500 new references, fresh popular culture examples, and the new feature “Making Use of Relationship Science” in every chapter, this edition offers a current and compelling look at relationships in the modern age.
Table Of Contents:
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- About the Authors
- Chapter 1: An Introduction to Relationship Science
- Why Study Relationship Science?
- What Are Different Kinds of Intimate Relationships?
- How Is this Book Organized?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 2: Research Methods and Analysis
- What Research Methods Help Us Understand Relationships?
- How Do We Analyze Results?
- What Is “Open Science”?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 3: Friendship and Singlehood
- What Predicts How and When Friendships Will Form?
- How Do Friendships Change Over Time, and How Can Healthy Friendships Be Maintained?
- Why Do Some People Choose Singlehood Versus Commitment to a Relationship Partner?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 4: Attraction
- What Physical Factors Predict Attraction?
- What Psychological Factors Predict Attraction?
- What Environmental Factors Predict Attraction?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 5: The Evolutionary Perspective
- How Is an Evolutionary Perspective Applied to Intimate Relationships?
- How Does the Evolutionary Perspective Explain Sex Differences in Promiscuity and Jealousy?
- How Can the Evolutionary Perspective Apply to Other Important Relationship Behaviors?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 6: Attachment Theory
- What Is Attachment Theory, and How Was It Formed?
- How Is Attachment Theory Applied to Adult Relationships?
- What Are Important Questions for and About Attachment Theory?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 7: Interdependence Theory
- What Are the Main Ideas Within Interdependence Theory?
- What Factors Predict Relationship Commitment and Stability?
- What Advances to Interdependence Theory Have Been Made?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 8: Social Cognition
- How Do We Form and Maintain Impressions?
- How Are We Biased Toward Our Current Partner?
- How Do Our Worldviews Affect Our Relationships?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 9: Modern Dating in a Digital Age
- How Has the Modern Landscape of Dating and Relationships Changed?
- How Do People Navigate the Complexities of Online Dating?
- What Are the Main Challenges in Modern Dating?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 10: Sexuality
- How Does Sexual Identity Vary?
- How Does Culture Influence Sexuality?
- How Can Sexual Experiences Be More Satisfying?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 11: Communication and Conflict
- How Can Communication Build Intimacy in Relationships?
- What Are Common Stresses and Strains in Relationships?
- How Do People in Relationships Engage in Conflict Management?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 12: Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence
- What Does Research Say About Sexual Assault and Rape?
- What Does Relationship Violence Look Like?
- How Do Survivors Escape and Heal?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 13: Dissolution and Divorce
- How Do People Decide to End Their Relationship?
- What Predicts Breakup and Divorce?
- What Does Life Look Like After a Relationship Ends?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Chapter 14: Enduring Love
- What Can People Do to Maintain Healthy Relationships Over Time?
- What Can Couple Members Do to Understand and Cope with Relationship Problems?
- Can Counseling Help Couples Overcome Relationship Problems?
- Chapter Summary
- List of Terms
- Glossary
- References
- Index
Recent Product Reviews:
This textbook truly accomplishes all of the author's goals mentioned in the Preface. It does an excellent job introducing students to the foundational theories of relationships (attachment, evolutionary, interdependence). The chapters are organized in a logical order. The book is very engaging, and each section includes excellent critical thinking questions. This book is an excellent choice for any instructor wishing to foster critical thinking skills in their students!
Maya Aloni, Western Connecticut State University
I am looking forward to using this book in my Interpersonal Relationships course. It does a great job covering key relationship theories and research. I know my students will enjoy all of the interactive components (e.g., personal assessment scales, application activities, critical thinking, research highlights, pop culture references, visuals, practice questions, etc.).
Anomi G. Bearden, Red Deer Polytechnic