Understanding how people initiate, develop, maintain, and terminate relationships is a core issue in psychology, and the subject matter of this book. The contributors explore and integrate the subtle influence that evolutionary, socio-cultural, and intra-psychic (cognitive, affective and motivational) variables play in relationship processes.

Joseph P. Forgas, Julie Fitness

Part 1. Introduction and Basic Principles. J.P. Forgas, J. Fitness, Introductory Remarks, History Background and Issues of Research on Personal Relationships. E. Hatfield, R. Rapson, Passionate Love and Sexual Desire: Multicultural Perspectives. M. Haselton, G. Gonzaga, The Evolution of Love. P. Shaver, M. Mikulincer, Augmenting the Sense of Security in Romantic, Leader-Follower, Therapeutic, and Group Relations: A Relational Model of Personality Change. D.P. Schmitt, Attachment Matters: The Personality and Sexuality Correlates of Romantic Attachment across Cultures, Genders, and Relationship Forms. Part 2. Cognitive Processes in Relationships. G. Fletcher, Is Love Blind? L. Acitelli, Do Relationship Reflections Help or Hurt Close Relationships? P. Clark, How Attentional Flexibility Builds High Quality Close Relationships. C. Agnew, X. Arriaga, J. Wilson, Committed To What? Using the Bases of Relational Commitment Model to Understand Continuity and Change in Social Relationships. Part 3. Motivational and Affective Processes in Relationships. M. Brewer, Social Identity and Close Relationships: What is the Connection? J. Simpson, C. Jeffry, A.W. Collins, S. Tran, C. Haydon, Developmental Antecedents of Negative Emotion in Romantic Relationships. J. Forgas, Happy and Close, But Sad and Effective? Mood Effects on Strategic Relationship Behaviors. S. Gable, Approach and Avoidance Motives In Close Relationships. P. Noller, S. Conway, A. Blakeley, Sibling Relationships in Adolescent and Young Adult Twin and Non-twin Siblings: Managing Competition and Comparison. Part 4. Managing Relationship Problems. J. Fitness, J. Peterson, Punishment and Forgiveness in Close Relationships: An Evolutionary, Social-Psychological Perspective. E. Finkel, The Impelling/Inhibiting Model of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Theory and Preliminary Evidence. S. Murray, Realizing Connectedness Goals: The Risk Regulation System in Relationships. L. Zadro, K. Williams, X. Arriaga, Relational Ostracism. R. Miller, Attending to Temptation: The Operation (and Perils) of Attention to Alternatives in Close Relationships.