Abstract

Why are we attracted to some people and not to others? Are first impressions accurate? Why do some romantic relationships succeed while others fail? Are our romantic choices influenced by evolution?
In tackling questions like these, The Social Psychology of Attraction and Romantic Relationships reviews the theory and research behind this fascinating area. It combines real-life anecdotes and popular media examples with the latest psychological studies, making it a lively and engaging read.
Ideal for students of social psychology and intimate relationships courses, this is a comprehensive introduction to an everyday subject that, on closer investigation, proves to be a dynamic, intriguing, and sometimes surprising area.
Why are we attracted to some people and not to others? Are first impressions accurate? Why do some romantic relationships succeed while others fail? Are our romantic choices influenced by evolution?

In tackling questions like these, The Social Psychology of Attraction and Romantic Relationships reviews the theory and research behind this fascinating area. It combines real-life anecdotes and popular media examples with the latest psychological studies, making it a lively and engaging read.

Ideal for students of social psychology and intimate relationships courses, this is a comprehensive introduction to an everyday subject that, on closer investigation, proves to be a dynamic, intriguing, and sometimes surprising area.


This book is full of interesting topics that will have great appeal to anyone interested in relationships. The book is student-friendly, bringing research to life with real-life examples, and it features a great mix of classic studies and recently published research. It is refreshing to see all these topics covered in one textbook.' - Claire Hart, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Southampton, UK

'Not since Rubin's classic 1973 Liking and Loving do we have a book that intelligently reviews a broad range of social science research on interpersonal attraction. The authors are masterfully able to discuss abstract scientific concepts in a way that is illuminating as well as engaging. They are able to blend the scientific literature, personal anecdotes, and popular media to cook such a delicious meal that gives all of us plenty to chew on for some time.' - David A. Kenny, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Connecticut, USA

"This very well-written book covers a wide array of fascinating topics and is illustrated by many rich examples. Readers will find each chapter to be both interesting and accessible." - Norman Li, Associate Professor of Psychology, Singapore Management University, Singapore

'Fugère, Leszczynski, and Cousins provide an accessible and engaging overview of a topic that should be of particular interest to traditional age undergraduates. The book's summaries and analyses of a range of research are interspersed with illustrative and entertaining examples from the authors' lives and from popular culture. As readers are guided through some of the implications for their own relationships, they may be startled to learn how wrong some of their beliefs about dating are.' - Susan Rakowitz, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Fairfield University, USA

Madeleine A. Fugère is Professor of Psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University, USA. Her research and teaching interests include social psychology, statistics, research methods, and attraction and romantic relationships. She has previously published articles related to romantic relationships, sexual double standards, and teaching psychology courses.
 
Jennifer Leszczynski is Professor of Psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University, USA. Her research interests include contextual influences on masculinity and femininity and gendered beliefs about love across the lifespan. She also studies how using community engagement in college classrooms can dispel gender and age stereotypes. 
 
Alita J. Cousins is Associate Professor of Psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University, USA. Her research focuses on conflict in romantic relationships, particularly mate guarding in dating couples. She has published research articles in a variety of journals on topics such as mate guarding, mate retention tactics, aggression in romantic relationships, and changes in relationship dynamics across the menstrual cycle.