Interpersonal emotion dynamics within intimate relationships

doi:10.1017/9781316822944.011

Chapter 9 - Interpersonal emotion dynamics within intimate relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 September 2018

Sharon Shenhav ,

Arpine Hovasapian and

Belinda Campos

Edited by

Ashley K. Randall and

Dominik Schoebi

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Ashley K. Randall: Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Dominik Schoebi: Affiliation:
Université de Fribourg, Switzerland

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Summary

This chapter reviews the emotion dynamics that are characteristic of intimate relationships, a unique type of relationship defined by relationship partners’ special, accumulated knowledge of one another, a degree of interdependence, shared commitment and feelings of caring, trust, and responsiveness. In these relationships, people have intimate interactions that involve self-disclosure, shared understanding, and sustained involvement. Our review highlights the role of emotions such as love, desire, sadness, anger and contempt in shaping the interpersonal dynamics of the interactions that begin, endure, and can dissolve intimate relationships. Psychological processes reviewed include attraction, self-disclosure, satisfaction, capitalization, and conflict. We conclude with a wish list for future research in this area –- systematic incorporation of diversity, a focus on the dynamics of intimacy as they naturally unfold in everyday life, and increased use of recent methodological and analytical advances.

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Type: Chapter
Information: Interpersonal Emotion Dynamics in Close Relationships , pp. 162 - 178

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316822944.011 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2018

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