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The theories and research on this topic are mainly heteronormative. We do not wish to pretend that all relationships are heterosexual, we are simply following the AQA A Level Psychology curriculum.
According to the medical profession, spending time with people who love you reduces the risk of early death by 50%. But how and why do we fall in love?
The way we define relationships today is very different from the way we defined them 70 years ago. These days, they can be between people of any gender, race, and can even include more than two people. They can be established online, in person, or through an app. But what makes us choose our partners? Why are some relationships long-term, and others end up being short-term?
![Relationships [+] A couple in love [+] StudySmarter](https://studysmarter-mediafiles.s3.amazonaws.com/media/1865576/summary_images/Screenshot_2021-12-01_at_10.28.56.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIA4OLDUDE42UZHAIET%2F20220707%2Feu-central-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20220707T094240Z&X-Amz-Expires=90000&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=64ee4e53dae8b642726ef13ea9fa7153a7ac55c1c2037df04a58e9f4f4c2422f)
A couple in love, canva.com
Let's discuss what motivates attraction and sexual relationships.
According to The Journal of Sexual Medicine, falling in love has similar effects to taking drugs. In other words, a kind of addiction. But why are we attracted to certain people so much that we become almost addicted to them? (2)
Psychologists disagree about what motivates sexual relationships. Some believe attraction is an innate, evolutionary process, motivated by the need to survive and reproduce. Others believe attraction is based on an exchange of information leading to trust between couples. Of course, physical attractiveness also plays a part. Some psychologists think that physical attractiveness is the primary motivator for sexual attraction whilst others theorise that people go through several filters when selecting a mate, starting at physical proximity and ending with similar moral values.
Let's find out what psychology can teach us about romantic relationships.
The models of relationship maintenance studied here consider relationships to be an economic exchange of investment, benefit, and cost. According to some, there is a constant struggle between parties. To others, the exchange should be equitable for a relationship to last.
Duck (2007) stated that relationships break down in stages. This begins when one person beings to think about breaking up and ends with 'grave dressing'. Grave dressing is when both partners attempt to make themselves look good post-breakup.
Either way, heartbreak is tough. It can result in physical symptoms such as chest pains and shortness of breath, also known as Broken Heart Syndrome.
One way to avoid this may be by following the principles of equity theory. This theory states that relationships must be equitable to last. If both partners do not give and take equally, the relationship will break down due to feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction.
![Relationships [+] Broken heart [+] StudySmarter](https://studysmarter-mediafiles.s3.amazonaws.com/media/1865576/summary_images/Screenshot_2021-12-01_at_10.29.11.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIA4OLDUDE42UZHAIET%2F20220707%2Feu-central-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20220707T094240Z&X-Amz-Expires=90000&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=a8903cf30ee107048950591bc554f38bb57b55e4beef731435bee9f607ea3347)
Broken heart, canva.com
There are over 7500 dating websites worldwide (4), but not all virtual relationships are romantic. Nevertheless, it remains the case that online dating accounts for a large number of new relationships these days, but how are virtual relationships formed?
Self-disclosure (sharing personal information) is important in this process. Sharing things with a potential partner in the absence of gates (characteristics that may impede attraction when people meet in person eg the way someone smells or how they look in person) may speed up the formation of a relationship.
Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships such as a fan's adoration of a celebrity. These relationships are explained by psychologists using absorption addiction models and attachment theory.
![Relationships [+] A woman in an online call [+] StudySmarter](https://studysmarter-mediafiles.s3.amazonaws.com/media/1865576/summary_images/Screenshot_2021-12-01_at_10.29.26.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIA4OLDUDE42UZHAIET%2F20220707%2Feu-central-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20220707T094240Z&X-Amz-Expires=90000&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=4d6f8845dfa85366a95f9db20c515f82bfa856ff1a936f9bb6f68b5898baf564)
A woman in an online call, canva.com
Psychologists differ in how they define relationships. Some think they are an exchange of benefits and costs. Others think that they are motivated by a mutual need to reproduce, but ultimately a relationship is a partnership between two or more people.
Family relationships, friendships, acquaintanceships, and romantic relationships
Relationship psychologists study romantic relationships.
According to some psychologists, sex is very important to a relationship as they are motivated by a a mutual desire to reproduce.
A polyamorous relationship is when one or both of the partners in a relationship engage in other relationships.
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