The Science of Intimate Relationships

by Fletcher, Garth; Simpson, Jeffry A.; Campbell, Lorne; Overall, Nickola

• ISBN13: 9781405179195
• ISBN10: 1405179198
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-01-29
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This textbook is designed for upper-level undergraduate (2nd to 4th year in North America) and graduate classes. This book would have the following features designed to set it apart from the field and give it both considerable appeal to students and provide a marketing edge: International appeal: The authors come from three different countries, which will help in marketing the book, and also help create a genuinely international product. This book will be readily marketable in Europe, Australasia, and North America. Social psychology and evolutionary psychology approach: But will adopt a broad perspective using material from cognitive science (including brain-imaging studies), developmental psychology, anthropology, comparative psychology, clinical psychology, genetic research, sociology, and biology. This truly inter-disciplinary approach will be unique. Lively, personalised writing, with a journalistic flavour. The chapters will also include summaries at the end, and will pay special attention to providing superbly written and engaging hooks at the beginnings of each chapter. The addition of autobiographical tid bits about authors and the use of vivid real-life examples will add a narrative tone, and liven up the text. The book will be rigorous and stay true to the science. But it will also communicate the excitement and cutting-edge developments in this area. The authors propose, for example, to include one or two boxed controversies for each chapter, and emphasise the importance of critical thinking and getting past the platitudes of conventional wisdom. The latest research and thinking will be featured, but also the classic studies and the history of work in each area will be covered. The book will provide a balanced and ecumenical approach to the field, but will also advance arguments and develop clear themes. Attractive and inviting in two color design. It will include photos and relevant line art. A full set of power point slides will also be designed by the authors with help from the publisher for use by course instructors, and will have web site and instructors' test bank.

Author Biography

Garth Fletcher is Professor of Psychology at Victoria University Wellington. He is a fellow of five societies including the Royal Society of New Zealand, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and has been associate editor of both Personal Relationships and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Fletcher has published over 100 articles and book chapters, and has authored and edited 6 books.   

Jeffry A. Simpson is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Doctoral Minor in Interpersonal Relationships (IREL) at the University of Minnesota. He has been the editor of the journal Personal Relationships and is currently the editor of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: Interpersonal Relations and Group Processes (JPSP-IRGP). Simpson is the incoming president of the International Association for Relationship Research, and has published nearly 200 articles and chapters along with several edited books.

Lorne Campbell is Associate Professor of Psychology the University of Western Ontario. He has published over 40 articles and book chapters, serves on the editorial board of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and has been the editor of the journal Personal Relationships.

Nickola Overall is Senior Lecturer of Psychology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She has published over 35 articles and book chapters, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and is currently associate editor for Personal Relationships.

Table of Contents

1. The Science of Intimate Relationships: Introduction

2. Intimate relationships in Context: Key Theories, Concepts, and Human Nature

3. The Intimate Relationship Mind

4. The Intimate Relationship Body

5. Born to Bond: From Infancy to Adulthood

6. Selecting Mates

7. Love, Sweet Love

8. Reading Minds, Partners, and Relationships

9. Communication and Interaction

10. Sex and Passion

11. Relationship Violence

12. Relationship Dissolution

13. Assembling the Relationship Jigsaw