Chapter 1: The building blocks of relationships ................................................................................................ 3
The nature and importance of intimacy .............................................................................................................. 3
The influence of culture ...................................................................................................................................... 4
The influence of experience ................................................................................................................................ 4
The influence of individual differences ............................................................................................................... 5
The influence of human nature ........................................................................................................................... 6
The influence of interaction ................................................................................................................................ 7
The dark side of relationships ............................................................................................................................. 7
Chapter summary ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 3: Attraction ........................................................................................................................................... 8
The fundamental basis of attraction ................................................................................................................... 8
Proximity: liking those near us ........................................................................................................................... 8
Physical attractiveness: liking those who are lovely .......................................................................................... 9
Reciprocity: liking those who like us ................................................................................................................ 10
Similarity: liking those who are like us............................................................................................................. 11
So, what do men and women want? .................................................................................................................. 12
Chapter summary ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Chapter 4: Social Cognition ............................................................................................................................... 13
First impressions (and beyond) ........................................................................................................................ 13
The power of perceptions.................................................................................................................................. 13
Impression management ................................................................................................................................... 15
So, just how well do we know our partners? .................................................................................................... 16
Chapter summary ............................................................................................................................................. 17
Chapter 5: Communication ................................................................................................................................ 18
Nonverbal communication ................................................................................................................................ 18
Verbal communication ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Dysfunctional communication and what to do about it .................................................................................... 21
Chapter summary ............................................................................................................................................. 22
Chapter 6: Interdependency .............................................................................................................................. 23
Social exchange ................................................................................................................................................ 23
The economies of relationships......................................................................................................................... 24
Are we really this greedy? ................................................................................................................................ 25
The nature of commitment ................................................................................................................................ 26
Chapter summary ............................................................................................................................................. 27
Chapter 7: Friendship......................................................................................................................................... 28
The nature of friendship.................................................................................................................................... 28