Social Reaction and the Formation of Dyads: An Interactionist Approach to Mate Selection

Attributional confidence, perceived similarity, and network involvement in Chinese and American romantic relationships

“…Emotional attachment, interaction, and expectations for the future of the romantic relationship also are correlated positively with support of both partners' networks (Parks, Stan, & Eggert, 1983). Other studies also provide support for the positive correlation between romantic involvement and attachment to each other's social networks (e.g., Burr, 1973;Krain, 1977;Lewis, 1973).…”

“I’m not the same person since I met you”: The role of romantic passion in how people change when they get involved in a romantic relationship

“…Members of the social network can even help individuals feel more satisfied with and committed to their romantic partners (Bryant and Conger 1999). For example, they can do so by validating the relationship (e.g., commenting about how well matched the partners are; Berger, 1988) and by nurturing the couple's identity by inviting the two partners to social events as a couple (Lewis, 1973). In addition, individuals who keep a good social network when involved in a romantic relationship tend to meet various developmental challenges (e.g., marriage, child bearing, widowhood, etc.)…”

Perceived Relationship Dissolution and Sexual Orientation of a Hypothetical Ex-Partner as a Threat to Identity

“…Relationships exist within a wider network of social connections that have implications for the relationship identity (Felmlee & Sprecher, 2000;Felmlee et al, 1990;Lewis, 1973), which is observed by others outside the relationship, and can influence individuals within the couple (Felmlee, 2001;Sprecher, 2011). The relationship has wide implications for the formation and maintenance of each relationship partners' self-concept (Aron et al, 2004;Chen et al, 2006).…”