Working towards a model of normative behavior for long-term committed relationships.

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-385
Author(s):  
Maryanne Fisher ◽  
Anthony Cox ◽  
Sarah Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Normative Behavior

Who gets mad and who feels bad? Mate value discrepancies predict anger and shame in response to transgressions in romantic relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2963-2982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cari D. Goetz ◽  
Nestor M. Maria
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Mate Preferences ◽  
Mate Value ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Relational Transgressions ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Theories Of Emotions

Mate value discrepancies (MVDs) predict multiple outcomes in romantic relationships, including relationship satisfaction, jealousy, and forgiveness. We tested the hypotheses that MVDs would predict anger and shame in response to both medium and strong transgressions within romantic relationships. Participants in long-term committed relationships read scenarios describing relational transgressions and rated how much anger and shame they would feel if they were either the victim or the perpetrator of the transgressions in their current relationship. We found partial support for our hypotheses. Victims of medium-level transgressions were angrier the more alternative potential mates there were that were closer to their ideal mate preferences than their current partner. Perpetrators of strong transgressions felt more shame the higher in mate value their partner was compared to them. Results suggest that different MVDs may predict different outcomes in relationships and highlight the importance of using functional theories of emotions to predict individual differences in emotional responses.

scholarly journals Sexual Citizenship and the Civil Union Act 2004

2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Seuffert
Keyword(s):  
Family Relationships ◽  
Private Law ◽  
Heterosexual Relationships ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
State Recognition ◽  
Parliamentary Debates ◽  
Same Sex Couples ◽  
Civil Union

This article analyses the parliamentary debates on the Civil Union Act 2004, which provides for legal recognition of same sex relationships, for stories of national identity.  A close reading of the parliamentary debates on the Act suggests that although the supporters and opponents of the legislation seemed to be worlds apart, many told similar stories about New Zealand as a nation, and citizens within that nation, emphasising similar values and aspirations.  Both sides told stories of citizens, of New Zealanders, as tolerant and fair, as forwarding-looking progressives who value stable long-term, committed relationships, warm loving communities for children, and strong families and family relationships.  Both sides generally saw marriage as a positive institution, a cornerstone of society and a building block for society and the nation.  While some talked of existing alternatives to marriage, such as de facto relationships, and there was some recognition that not all marriages are good ones, with a few notable exceptions, there was little mention of critiques of marriage as an institution and little or no positive mention of relationships outside of the paradigm of long-term committed, monogamous relationships.  Further, while there were arguments, reflecting a privatisation paradigm, that the Civil Union Act 2004 was not necessary since the rights and duties of same sex couples could be structured using the private law of contract and trusts (a claim that was debated), there was no suggestion that state recognition of marriage should be abolished, or that long-term heterosexual relationships should be structured through private law.

Summary and Syntheses

2019 ◽  
pp. 321-344
Author(s):  
Varda Konstam
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Risk Avoidance ◽  
Marriage And Divorce

This chapter revisits the challenging economic and romantic conditions in which today’s emerging adults find themselves, conditions that help explain why emerging adults are taking longer to commit to long-term relationships than their parents did. The main milestones in transitioning from an I identity to a we identity are reviewed, with an emphasis on the constructs of commitment and sacrifice and their centrality to one’s readiness for a long-term relationship. The concept of risk is discussed as an explanation as to why many emerging adults seem content to foster ambiguity in their relationships even as they say they value honesty and clarity. Structures such as asymmetrically committed relationships, cohabitation, marriage and divorce are examined through the lens of risk and risk avoidance. Their commonality and individuality are emphasized, providing a rich understanding of emerging adults and how they live and love.

Relationship Status Moderates Men’s Conspicuous Consumption of Smartphones

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Hennighausen ◽  
Frank Schwab
Keyword(s):  
Conspicuous Consumption ◽  
Mating Strategy ◽  
Mating Strategies ◽  
Relationship Status ◽  
High Status ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Signaling Systems

By applying the handicap principle, researchers have investigated men’s conspicuous purchases of high-status products as part of sexual signaling systems. Studies have suggested that, as part of short-term mating strategies, men are particularly willing to engage in conspicuous consumption to attract mates. Yet, this research has neglected to examine how relationship status influences conspicuous consumption. In our web-based study involving 352 participants (229 women), men tending towards short-term mating reported greater purchase intentions for a high-status smartphone only when single or in uncommitted relationships, while no association surfaced between mating strategy and conspicuous consumption among men in committed relationships. Results also revealed that, independent of mating strategy and income, single men and men in uncommitted relationships were more willing to purchase a low-status smartphone. Relationship status did not affect women’s conspicuous consumption. With these findings, we argue that relationship status significantly moderates men’s conspicuous consumption, as well as discuss purchases of low-status products as possible signals of men’s interest in long-term mating.

scholarly journals Commitment Without Marriage

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 738-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Reczek ◽  
Sinikka Elliott ◽  
Debra Umberson
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Union Formation ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Same Sex Couples ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
The Right ◽  
Depth Interviews

The majority of Americans will marry in their lifetimes, and for many, marriage symbolizes the transition into long-term commitment. However, many Americans cannot legally marry. This article analyzes in-depth interviews with gays and lesbians in long-term partnerships to examine union formation and commitment-making histories. Using a life course perspective that emphasizes historical and biographical contexts, the authors examine how couples conceptualize and form committed relationships despite being denied the right to marry. Although previous studies suggest that commitment ceremonies are a way to form same-sex unions, this study finds that because of their unique social, historical, and biographical relationship to marriage and ceremonies, long-term same-sex couples do not follow normative commitment-making trajectories. Instead, relationships can transition more ambiguously to committed formations without marriage, public ceremony, clear-cut act, or decision. Such an understanding of commitment making outside of marriage has implications for theorizing alternative forms of union making.

The Romantic Lives of Emerging Adults

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varda Konstam
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Sexual Experiences ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Risk Avoidance

The romantic lives of emerging adults are often baffling and contradictory: they prize committed and authentic relationships, yet they appear to be reluctant participants, and they prefer to foster ambiguity in their romantic relationships, even as they value honesty and clarity. This book grapples with these perplexing questions and considers the challenging economic conditions in which today’s emerging adults find themselves. With an emphasis on the constructs of commitment and sacrifice and their centrality to emerging adults’ readiness for long-term relationships, the main milestones in transitioning from an I identity to a we identity are reviewed. The concepts of choice and risk are discussed and structures such as asymmetrically committed relationships, cohabitation, marriage, and divorce are examined through the lens of risk and risk avoidance. The book probes extensively into the romantic lives of emerging adults—their attitudes, values, and expectations. In doing so, this text examines some of the developmental and contextual realities against which romantic attachment must be viewed. Critical topics such as casual and sexual experiences and relationships, going solo, breakups, the integration of work and love, and social media and its influence are considered. Original qualitative data about the topic is presented. The chapters conclude with a “close-up look” at one or more emerging adults so that their romantic lives are brought to life more vividly. The commonality and the individuality of the emerging adults that are presented throughout this text contribute to a rich understanding of emerging adults and how they live and love.

Confiding About Problems in Marriage and Long-Term Committed Relationships: A National Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Lind Seal ◽  
William J. Doherty ◽  
Steven M. Harris
Keyword(s):  
National Study ◽  
Committed Relationships

Phenotypic Mimicry Distinguishes Cues of Mating Competition From Paternal Investment in Men’s Conspicuous Consumption

2021 ◽  
pp. 014616722110072
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Life History Theory ◽  
Conspicuous Consumption ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Sex Characteristics ◽  
Paternal Investment ◽  
Committed Relationships ◽  
Mating Competition ◽  
Secondary Sex Characteristics ◽  
Product Features

Evolutionary psychologists propose that men’s conspicuous consumption facilitates mate attraction because it predicts resource investment in offspring. This article elaborates on the ultimate functions of men’s luxury displays based on Life History Theory. Three studies provide evidence for phenotypic mimicry, in which consumer product features mimicking male secondary sex characteristics indicate investment in mating competition, at the expense of paternal investment. Men owning shirts with larger luxury brand logos were rated higher on mating effort, lower on parental investment, higher on interest in brief sexual affairs, lower on interest in long-term committed romantic relationships, higher in attractiveness to women for brief sexual affairs, lower in attractiveness to women for long-term committed relationships, and higher in developmental environment unpredictability compared with men owning shirts displaying a smaller logo. Participants recognized the strategic use of luxury display properties across social contexts but did not consistently associate product properties with owners’ physiological characteristics.

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