Psychology Essay: Interpersonal Relationships.

What did you find was of value to you in the material on interpersonal relations? How will you use it in your own life?

"Opposites attract" is a commonly held phrase and belief, but the reality is - as confirmed by the studies of Meyer and Pepper in 1977 - those who seemed to be “opposites” were more likely to suffer marital conflicts and less likely to stay together. The better-adjusted couples were more alike in terms of needs and qualities like aggressiveness, autonomy, nurturance, and impulsiveness than poorly adjusted couples.

Another good point from this week was that, for a relationship to be carried out successfully, it is vital that both partners have approximately equivalent levels of passion, friendship, and commitment. If one partner has a narrower attachment than the other, the relationship is likely to flounder due to the couple’s dissimilar priorities.

Personally - I see a lot of misconceptions in action in the world. Contrary to the popular cliché's, love is much more than just an overpowering romantic feeling. I liked that the material this week brought out:

"People with similarly held beliefs and attitudes are more likely to become involved and stay involved with each other."

If a couple has entered a serious relationship, and especially if they are considering marriage, having important issues such as: values; concepts of each one's role in marriage; where and how you will live; views on raising children; immediate and long-range goals and how you will achieve those; etc. - are not only frankly discussed, but in harmony.

Going along with the material's point on both partners contributing equivalent levels of passion, friendship, and commitment - personally, I can't stress that enough. A successful relationship boils down to both partners having equal amounts of genuine concern and love for each other - and I want to highlight again, that genuine love for a person is more than an overpowering romantic feeling. It is balanced by reason and deep respect for the other person, and it is neither self-centered nor selfish.

When you are really in love, you care just as much for the other person's welfare and happiness as you do your own. You do not let overpowering emotion destroy good judgment.