Full Description
The Third Edition of The Mating Game: A Primer on Love, Sex, and Marriage is the only introductory text about human mating relationships aimed specifically at a university audience. Encompassing a wide array of disciplines, this 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.
Contents
PART I. Mating Relationships
Chapter 1: Mate Preferences
Theoretical Approaches to Human Mating
Methods Used to Examine Mate Preferences
Empirical Evidence
Continuing Debates
Chapter 2: Attraction, Affiliation, and Courtship
Who Do We Like? Principles of Romantic Attraction
Who Do We Approach? Principles of Romantic Affiliation
How Do We Convey Romantic Interest? 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
Chapter 3: Relationship Development
The Sequence of Relationship Development
The Process of Relationship Development
Chapter 4: Marriage and Mate Selection
Mating Systems Across Cultures
The Nature 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
Chapter 5: Conflict and Dissolution
Conflict
Relationship Dissolution
Chapter 6: Intervention
Identifying Distressed Relationships
Treating Distressed Relationships
Does Therapy Work?
Part II. Love
Chapter 7: General Theories of Love
The Triangular Theory of Love
The Colors (Styles) of Love
The Prototype Approach: Mental Models of Love
Chapter 8: Passionate and Companionate Love
Passionate Love: A "Sexy" Kind of Love
Companionate Love: A "Sturdy" Kind of Love
Chapter 9: Love Gone Bad: Problematic Aspects of Love
Unrequited Passionate Love: When the One We Love Does Not Love Us
Relational Stalking: When Romantic Interest Becomes Obsession
Relational Aggression: When Love Turns Violent
Loss of Passion: When Attraction Fades
PART III. Sex
Chapter 10: Sexual Attitudes
Beliefs About Sex in Dating Relationships
Beliefs About Sex in Marital Relationships
Chapter 11: Sex in Beginning Relationships
Sexuality and the Attraction Process
Sexuality in Beginning Relationships
Chapter 12: Sex in Established Relationships
Sexual Frequency
Sexual Practices
Sexual Preferences
Sexual Satisfaction
Sexual Communication
Sexuality and Relationship Satisfaction
Chapter 13: Sex Gone Bad: Problematic Aspects of Relational Sex
Sexual Disinterest: When the One We Desire Does Not Desire Us
Sexual Assault: When Sex Becomes Nonconsensual
Sexual Infidelity: When the One We've Chosen Cheats
Sexual Jealousy: A Common Response to Infidelity
PART IV. Individual Differences
Chapter 14: Maleness and Femaleness
Biological Sex
Psychological Gender and Gender Role Orientation
Chapter 15: Personality
Supertraits
Self-Monitoring
Sociosexual Orientation
Chapter 16: Interpersonal Belief Systems
Attachment Styles
Rejection Sensitivity
Romanticism
