Images of Resilience: Outness in Same-Gender Romantic Relationships

Whitney P. Akers; Craig S. Cashwell; Susan D. Blake

doi:10.1080/15538605.2021.1914272

Equality in theory: From a heteronormative to an inclusive psychology of romantic love

Theory & Psychology ◽

10.1177/0959354319826725 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 240-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sapphira R. Thorne ◽

Peter Hegarty ◽

Erica G. Hepper

Keyword(s):

Critical Thinking ◽

Romantic Relationships ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Romantic Love ◽

Sexual Equality ◽

The Past ◽

Same Gender ◽

The Difference ◽

Heterosexual Bias ◽

Opposite Gender

Since 1970, research on romantic relationships has burgeoned, but its theories and methods were shaped by a heteronormative cultural context. Heteronormativity is an ideology that implicitly holds that heterosexuality is, and should be, the only, dominant, or taken-for-granted sexuality for all. The movement towards sexual equality, particularly legal recognition of equal marriage, now allows psychologists to investigate romantic love in a more equal manner than ever before. To orient psychology towards less heteronormative theories of love, we make explicit how researchers in the past have (a) defined love and relationships as heterosexual, (b) presumed heterosexual patterns of love generalize to all, (c) used methodologies that introduce heterosexual bias, and (d) located differences in same-gender couples rather than between same-gender and opposite-gender couples. We conclude with recommendations on how critical thinking at all stages of research can make the difference between heteronormative and inclusive research on romantic love and relationships.

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Minority stress in same-gender male romantic relationships: When does it impact relationship commitment?

Psychology and Sexuality ◽

10.1080/19419899.2021.1969994 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Lior Oren

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Relationship Commitment ◽

It Impact ◽

Same Gender

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Narcissism and Perceived Inequity in Attractiveness in Romantic Relationships

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000025 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 295-302 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elke Rohmann ◽

Hans-Werner Bierhoff ◽

Martina Schmohr

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Gender Effect ◽

Dyadic Analysis ◽

Dyadic Data ◽

Actor Partner Interdependence Model ◽

Narcissistic Personality ◽

Intraclass Correlations ◽

Narcissistic Personality Inventory ◽

Additional Variance

In three studies of romantic relationships (N = 253, N = 81, and N = 98) the hypothesis was tested that high narcissists, relative to low narcissists, distort the assessment of equity in attractiveness. Narcissism was measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. In Study 1 the hypothesis was confirmed. In Study 2 it was shown that although narcissism correlated significantly with self-esteem, it was the unique variance in narcissism which predicted the tendency to feel underbenefited in respect to attractiveness. Finally in Study 3, dyadic data were analyzed on the basis of the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. The data of 49 couples who lived together were included. The dyadic analysis indicated that actor narcissism exerted the expected influence on perceived inequity in attractiveness, whereas partner narcissism explained no additional variance. High narcissists felt more underbenefited than low narcissists. The analysis of dyadic data in Study 3 indicates that the link between narcissism and equity in attractiveness turns out to be an intrapersonal phenomenon because only actor narcissism, not partner narcissism, is significantly correlated with perceived inequity. In addition, partial intraclass correlations revealed that if one partner tended to feel underbenefited, the other partner tended to feel overbenefited. The results are explained on the basis of the agentic model of narcissism. All three studies consistently revealed a gender effect indicating that women felt more underbenefited than men in terms of attractiveness.

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Initiating, Maintaining, or Breaking Up?

Social Psychology ◽

10.1027/1864-9335/a000200 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (5) ◽

pp. 408-420 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michela Menegatti ◽

Monica Rubini

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Romantic Relationship ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Level Of Abstraction ◽

Problematic Relationship ◽

Abstract Language ◽

Language Abstraction

Two studies examined whether individuals vary the level of abstraction of messages composed to achieve the relational goals of initiating, maintaining, and ending a romantic relationships when the goal of communication was self-disclosure or persuading one’s partner. Study 1 showed that abstract language was preferred to disclose thoughts and feelings about initiating a romantic relationship or to persuade the partner to consolidate a long-term one. Study 2 revealed that participants used abstract terms to persuade the partner to continue a problematic relationship and to disclose their thoughts on ending it. These results show that language abstraction is a flexible means to handle individuals’ goals and influence the course of romantic relationships.

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