The Mating Game: A Primer on Love, Sex, and Marriage

Synopsis

The Third Edition Of The Mating Game: A Primer On Love, Sex, And Marriage Is The Only Introductory Text About Human Mating Aimed Specifically At A University Audience. Encompassing A Wide Array Of Disciplines, The Comprehensive Review Of Theory And Empirical Research Takes An Integrated Perspective On The Fundamental Human Experiences Of Attraction And Courtship, Mate Selection And Marriage, And Love And Sex. Strongly Grounded In Methodology And Research Design, The Book Offers Relevant Examples And Anecdotes Along With Ample Pedagogy That Will Spark Debate And Discussion On Provocative And Complex Topics--back Cover. Pt. I. Mating Relationships -- 1. Mate Preferences -- Theoretical Approaches To Human Mating -- Social Context Theories -- Evolutionary Models -- Methods Used To Examine Mate Preferences -- Empirical Evidence : Individual And Group Differences -- Continuing Debates -- Issue Of Compromise -- The Issues Of Self-report And Hypothetical Ideals -- 2. Attraction, Affiliation, And Courtship -- Principles Of Romantic Attraction -- Principles Of Romantic Affiliation -- Principles Of Flirting -- E-courtship : Attraction, Affiliation, And Flirting In Cyberspace -- The First Date -- Beyond The First Date : Initiating A Romantic Relationship -- Pathways To Commitment -- 3. Relationship Development -- Filter Theory -- Wheel Theory -- Stimulus-value-role Theory -- Self-disclosure And Intimacy -- Social Exchange -- Interdependence -- 4. Marriage And Mate Selection -- Mating Systems Across Cultures -- The Nature Of Marriage -- The Rules' Of Marriage -- Types Of Marriage -- Division Of Labor -- Marital Satisfaction : How Happy Are Married Couples? -- Has Marriage Changed Over Time? -- Same-sex Marriage -- Cohabitation : An Alternative To Marriage -- 5. Conflict And Dissolution -- What Happens During Conflict? : The Role Of Attributions -- Conflict Resolution Strategies -- Why Do Relationships End? -- How Do Relationships End? -- Disengagement Strategies -- Accounts : Why Things Turned Out This Way -- Reactions To The End Of A Relationship -- 6. Intervention -- Identifying Distressed Relationships -- Unhealthy Attributional Styles -- Dysfunctional Interaction Styles -- Negative Reciprocity -- Ratio Of Positive To Negative Behavior -- Failed Bids For Emotional Connection -- Treating Distressed Relationships -- Behavioral Couple Therapy -- Cognitive-behavioral Couple Therapy -- Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy -- Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy -- Does Therapy Work? -- Pt. Ii. Love -- 7. General Theories Of Love -- The Triangular Theory Of Love -- The Colors (styles) Of Love -- The Prototype Approach : Mental Models Of Love -- 8. Passionate And Companionate Love -- Passionate Love : A Sexy Kind Of Love -- The Biochemistry Of Passion -- Companionate Love : A Sturdy Kind Of Love -- The Biochemistry Of Affection -- 9. Love Gone Bad : Problematic Aspects Of Love -- Unrequited Passionate Love -- Relational Stalking : When Romantic Interest Becomes Obsession -- Cyberstalking -- Responses To Victimization -- Relational Aggression -- Situational Couple Violence -- Coercive Controlling Violence -- Loss Of Passion -- Pt. Iii. Sexual Attitudes -- Beliefs About Sex In Dating Relationships -- The Role Of Biological Sex -- The Role Of Culture -- Beliefs About Sex In Marital Relationships -- 11. Sex In Beginning Relationships -- Sexuality And The Attraction Process -- Sex Appeal -- Sexual Passion -- Sexual History -- Chastity -- Sexuality In Beginning Relationships -- The First Sexual Encounter -- Pathways To Sexual Involvement -- Sexual Influence -- 12. Sex In Established Relationships -- Sexual Frequency -- Age And Sexual Activity -- Sexual Practices -- Sexual Preferences -- Sexual Satisfaction -- Sexual Communication -- Sexuality And Relationship Satisfaction -- 13. Sex Gone Bad : Problematic Aspects Of Relational Sex -- Sexual Disinterest -- Sexual Assault -- : Nonconsensual -- Prevalences Of Nonconsensual Sex In Romantic Relationships -- Origins And Consequences Of Sexual Assault -- Sexual Infidelity -- Sexual Jealousy : Response To Relationship Threat -- Sex Differences In Jealousy -- Pt. Iv. Individual Differences -- 14. Maleness And Femaleness -- Biological Sex -- Different Cultures Or Same World, Different Ability/motivation? -- Psychological Gender And Gender Role Orientation -- 15. Personality -- Supertraits -- Extraversion -- Neuroticism -- Self-monitoring -- Sociosexual Orientation -- 16. Interpersonal Belief Systems -- Attachment Styles -- Rejection Sensitivity -- Romanticism. Pamela C. Regan. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 335-403) And Indexes.