Close relationships are a crucial part of our lives and can be incredibly beneficial. They help us to learn new things, cope with difficult situations, and feel loved and supported. However, like anything else in life, close relationships also have downsides. Here are three reasons why liking and loving someone over the long term can be challenging:
- Liking Someone Can Become Habit-Forming
When we like someone, it becomes easier to think pleasant thoughts about them and perform kind actions towards them without really thinking about it. This is because our brain starts associating positive feelings with being around this person (in the same way drugs or alcohol may artificially induce happiness). As a result, it becomes more difficult for us to distance ourselves from the person we like – even if doing so would be best for our emotional health or theirs.
- Loving Someone Can Lead Us To Make Unwise Decisions
Just as loving someone can make decisions easy for us mentally/emotionally, it also makes it harder to see flaws in that person when they do the wrong thing(s). We may become invested emotionally in what could eventually turn into an unhealthy relationship – where one party feels ultimately “owned” by the other party regardless of any negative consequences this might have on their well-being or overall quality of life.
Outline the factors that define close relationships
Close relationships involve a degree of trust, intimacy, and shared values. They also require communicating effectively and being accountable for one’s actions. To sustain a close relationship, it is essential to create common goals and focus on caring for each other.
Close relationships can be classified into four types: family (marital or familial), friends, co-workers, and romantic partners. Each type has its own set of benefits and challenges that must be considered when designing strategies for maintaining them over time.
Family relationships are often the most rewarding because they offer deep emotional connections that cannot be found elsewhere. However, they can also pose some unique challenges due to their hierarchical nature and the demands placed on members by society or family traditions. Friendships are more flexible than families since it is easier for both parties involved to change or move away if needed without feeling torn apart emotionally or socially. Co-workers tend to provide less emotional depth but are generally more compatible than friends because there is a more significant opportunity for professional advancement within the workplace hierarchy.
Distinguish between communal and exchange relationships
In a collaborative relationship, each participant has an equal share in the benefits and responsibilities of the association. This relationship is typically found between families, tribes, or villages. An example of an exchange relationship would be one where someone sells something to another person for money.
These relationships are only sometimes ideal because they involve power dynamics and inequality. In a communal society, it can be challenging to change or improve how things are done since everyone is involved equally. These communities are found in traditional societies where people rely on shared resources for survival.
On the other hand, in an exchange society, individuals tend to have more power relative to others since they control what resources are available and who gets access to them. It is based on the principle that one party benefits more than another. This type of relationship typically occurs between individuals with something that the other wants and needs (i.e., trade).
Both types of societies have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider your specific needs before deciding how you want your relationships to be structured.
Marriage is which type of relationship.
While marriage is technically an exchange relationship, it generally embodies communal relationships. This means that spouses share common goals and values, support one another during difficult times, and are committed to working together to benefit both parties. Marriage is also a testament to trust and faith in one’s partner, which can be valuable possessions over time.
While there may be times when couples clash, or disagreements arise, these should not diminish the importance of marital commitment or drive them apart. Rather than choosing between family and work commitments, many people find that they have more fulfilling careers when they combine their love for family with their career ambitions.
Sternberg’s triangular model of love
Sternberg’s triangular model of love is one of the most important and widely accepted models of human relationships. It posits three primary types of love: passionate, companionate, and sexual. Each type has its own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Passionate love is characterized by intense obsession or infatuation, spontaneity, intensity, and excitement. This type of love is often intense but short-lived because it tends to be fueled by emotions rather than rational thinking.
Companionate love is based on mutual respect and care for each other’s well-being. This form typically involves a levelheadedness that allows for flexibility in accommodating each partner’s needs while still maintaining orderliness within the relationship overall.
How is Sternberg’s triangular model of love applicable to happy married life?
If you are looking for a model to help you understand and better manage your relationships, Sternberg’s triangular model of love may be a good fit.
Three key factors play into a happy marriage: compatibility, communication, and compromise.
Compatibility is the first element of Sternberg’s triangular model of love and refers to the degree to which spouses share similar values and interests. If both parties feel like they fit well with each other on this front, it can lead to positive interactions that create happiness in their relationship. Communication is also crucial for a happy marriage because misunderstandings or lack thereof can cause strain. Poor communication can often result in tension or conflict, negatively impacting happiness throughout the triangle. Finally, compromising allows couples to put their differences aside in order not only to solve conflicts but also to grow as individuals together. This ultimately leads to increased satisfaction within the relationship since both partners have benefitted from exploring new territory together.
The factors that keep people liking each other in long-term relationships
While this is a bit of a generalization, there are some key similarities between the factors that keep people liking each other in long-term relationships and the factors that lead to initial attraction. Both involve sharing qualities that resonate with one another and creating an environment of mutual respect. People also tend to be attracted to others who reflect their core values and have similar views on important issues.
Additionally, both elements work together to create a strong emotional bond that can last through thick or thin times. Thus, couples must continue cultivating these positive aspects of relationships by finding new ways to share common interests, making time for quality interactions outside the relationship zone, and investing in mutual understanding and compassion.
Cognition becomes more important than passion and close relationships.
This may not be the most inspiring answer, but it is true. Passionate love is often based on extreme emotions such as anger or jealousy, which can cloud judgment and cause problems in a relationship. Companionate love, on the other hand, is founded on considerations for the well-being of your partner rather than self-centeredness. This type of love typically focuses more on understanding and caring for one another than your own needs.
According to a study conducted by Drs Aric Jurgenson and Shauna Shapiro at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, this pattern was observed among people who were happily married. The researchers asked participants about their marital satisfaction levels before asking about their feelings towards specific romantic partners. They found that close relationships were more likely to be based upon companionate love than passionate love, regardless of how long people had been married or what type of marriage they had originally entered.
There is another theory first proposed by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. It has been widely accepted because it corresponds well with our anecdotal experience and scientific studies. For example, research shows that people who feel passionately attached to their partner are likelier to report poorer mental health outcomes than those who have closer friendships based on companionate love.
Interestingly, this pattern seems to be reversed for those who engage in infidelity – passionate love appears to lead to better mental health outcomes! So if you’re looking for a happy relationship that will last longer than your average hookup session, then focusing on developing strong Companionate Love may be the way forward!
Attachment styles, formed in infancy, to some extent predict how people relate to others.
This is an interesting question, and it has been studied extensively. Those who are highly attachment driven (described as needing a lot of emotional security and relying on close relationships for self-esteem) tend to be more secure in their romantic relationships as adults. They usually have fewer problems dealing with difficult emotions, are typically better at communicating, and generally feel more connected to their partner than people who are less attached drive.
Great sense of love
When it comes to love, there are two primary emotions: a great love sense and a great fear of loss. People with a strong sense of great love tend to feel positively energized by relationships and can be very passionate about them. They also have a deep understanding and appreciation for their relationship, which makes them happier than those who lack this depth of feelings.
In contrast, people with a strong fear of loss often experience tremendous anxiety when things go wrong or seem uncertain in their relationships. This can lead to irrational fears that prevent them from engaging fully in their relationships or make them withdraw completely into themselves. As such, these individuals usually find it difficult to build trusting partnerships because they never know how much damage could be done if something were to happen, even unintentionally.
Ultimately, it’s important to look at your positive and negative thoughts around love (and any other area you may struggle with). If you’re able to recognize the difference between the two states and learn how each impacts your happiness levels overall, then you’ll be well on your way towards finding lasting satisfaction in life