1st Edition

Knowledge Structures in Close Relationships A Social Psychological Approach

Edited By Garth J.O. Fletcher, Julie Fitness Copyright 1996
    456 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    450 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    Thirty-three of the top scholars in this fast moving domain present a picture of work at the cusp in social psychology -- work that deals with cognition and affect in close relationships. The present volume contains a wealth of research findings and influential theoretical accounts that spring as much from indigenous work in the close relationship field as from purebred social cognition. The chapters introduce theories and research programs concerned with the role of individual and couple differences in close relationship knowledge structures. They deal with the role of emotion and affect in close relationships. And they discuss the function of cognition and knowledge structures in relation to the developmental course of close relationships. Each section is accompanied by a critical review written by an expert in the field.

    This volume is a must for any close relationship scholar interested in the latest research and theorizing about close relationships that adopt a social psychological perspective. It will also be of interest to scholars and students working in clinical psychology, social cognition, communication, individual differences, and family studies.

    Contents: Preface. G.J.O. Fletcher, J. Fitness, Introduction. Part I: Knowledge Structures and Individual/Couple Differences. G.J.O. Fletcher, G. Thomas, Close Relationship Lay Theories: Their Structure and Function. P.R. Shaver, N. Collins, C.L. Clark, Attachment Styles and Internal Working Models of Self and Relationship Partners. C.E. Rusbult, N.A. Yovetich, J. Verette, An Interdependence Analysis of Accommodation Processes. S.L. Murray, J.G. Holmes, The Construction of Relationship Realities. J.A. Simpson, S.W. Gangestad, C. Nations, Sociosexuality and Relationship Initiation: An Ethological Perspective of Nonverbal Behavior. L.K. Acitelli, A.M. Young, Gender and Thought in Relationships. Discussant Chapter: Part I. H.T. Reis, C.R. Knee, What We Know, What We Don't Know, and What We Need to Know About Relationship Knowledge Structures. Part II: Knowledge Structures and Emotions. J. Fitness, Emotion Knowledge Structures in Close Relationships. B. Fehr, M. Baldwin, Prototype and Script Analyses of Laypeople's Knowledge of Anger. M.S. Clark, S.P. Pataki, V.H. Carver, Some Thoughts and Findings on Self-Presentation of Emotions in Relationships. Discussant Chapter: Part II. J.P. Forgas, The Role of Emotion Scripts and Transient Moods in Relationships: Structural and Functional Perspectives. Part III: Knowledge Structures and Relationship Development. S. Planalp, M. Rivers, Changes in Knowledge of Personal Relationships. A. Aron, E.N. Aron, Self and Self-Expansion in Relationships. D. Holmberg, J. Veroff, Rewriting Relationship Memories: The Effects of Courtship and Wedding Scripts. J.D. Vorauer, M. Ross, The Pursuit of Knowledge in Close Relationships: An Informational Goals Analysis. Discussant Chapter: Part III. C.A. Surra, Knowledge Structures in Developing Relationships: Progress and Pitfalls.

    Biography

    Garth J.O. Fletcher, Julie Fitness

    "In sum, Fletcher and Fitness have collected a representative sampling of state-of-the-art research and theory on cognition in close relationships, certain to be of use to readers seeking an introduction to this rapidly expanding area."
    Contemporary Psychology