Sexual communication can contribute greatly to the satisfaction of an intimate rela­tionship. Good communication about sexual desires and concerns has frequently been identified as a valuable asset to the development and maintenance of a satisfying and enduring sexual relationship (Byers, 2011; Montesi et al., 2011; Timm & Kelley, 2011). We do not mean that extensive […]

Many people have a strong desire to seek variety in life’s experiences. They might acquire an assortment of friends, each of whom provides a unique enrichment to their lives. Likewise, they might read different kinds of books, pursue a variety of recre­ational activities, eat different kinds of foods, and take a variety of classes. Yet […]

Ingredients commonly present in a lasting love relationship include self-acceptance, acceptance by one’s partner, appreciation of one another, commitment, good communi­cation, realistic expectations, shared interests, equality in decision making, and the abil­ity to face conflict effectively. These characteristics are not static; they evolve and change and influence one another over time. Often they need to […]

Human relationships present many challenges. One challenge involves building posi­tive feelings about ourselves. Another involves establishing satisfying and enjoyable relationships with family, peers, teachers, coworkers, employers, and other people in our social network. A third challenge involves developing special intimate relationships with friends and, when we want them, sexual relationships. Finally, many people con­front the […]

Not everyone responds to jealousy in the same way, and a number of studies have found differences in the ways women and men respond. In general, women are more likely than men to acknowledge feelingjealous (Barker, 1987; Clanton & Smith, 1977). Furthermore, several studies have suggested that a woman’s jealousy tends to focus on her […]

Jealousy has been defined as an aversive emotional reaction evoked by a real or imag­ined relationship involving one’s partner and a third person (Bringle & Buunk, 1991). Many people think that jealousy is a measure of devotion and that the absence of jeal­ous feelings implies a lack of love (Buss, 2000; Knox et al., 2007). […]

I would not consider myself to be biased against homosexuals. However, I do feel some degree of disapproval of the gay lifestyle, which often seems to involve casual affairs based more on sex than genuine caring. Some gay men I know have had more partners in the last couple of years than I have had […]

In general, men and women tend to view the relationship between sex and love some­what differently (Hendrick & Hendrick, 1995; Regan & Berscheid, 1995). For instance, men are more likely than women to define being in love, and to assess the quality of the romantic involvement, in terms of sexual satisfaction (Fischer & Heesacker, 1995; […]

I had known Chris for some time and thought I was ready to be sexual with him. So, after an evening out together, I asked him if I could stay at his place, and he said yes. I felt really aroused as we got in bed. I really enjoyed exploring the shapes and textures of […]

In the following paragraphs, we explore dynamics that cause complications in intimate relationships, focusing on two questions in particular. First we discuss the relationship between love and sex. Next we explore how jealousy affects relationships and what, if anything, can be done to keep it under control. What Is the Relationship Between Love and Sex? […]