Handbook of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xviii

   PDF

2. Introduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Interpersonal Commitment in Historical Perspective

      • Jeffrey M. Adams, Warren H. Jones

      Pages 3-33

3. Conceptualization and Measurement of Interpersonal Commitment

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 35-35

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   2. Duty toward Whom?

      • George Levinger

      Pages 37-52

   3. Conceiving Couple Commitment

      • Pamela Kate Wyatt

      Pages 53-71

   4. Personal, Moral, and Structural Commitment to Relationships

      • Michael P. Johnson

      Pages 73-87

4. The Development of Interpersonal Commitment

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 89-89

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   2. Interpersonal Experience in Infancy as a Foundation for the Capacity in Adults for Stable Relationships

      • Mark G. Lundeen

      Pages 91-107

   3. Attachment Processes and Commitment to Romantic Relationships

      • Hillary J. Morgan, Phillip R. Shaver

      Pages 109-124

   4. The Development of Commitment to Marriage

      • Catherine A. Surra, Debra K. Hughes, Susan E. Jacquet

      Pages 125-148

   5. Commitment in the Early Years of Marriage

      • Joseph Veroff

      Pages 149-162

5. Basic Commitment Processes in Relationships

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 163-163

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   2. The Dynamics of Interpersonal Commitment and the Issue of Salience

      • Jeffrey M. Adams, Jana S. Spain

      Pages 165-179

   3. Marital Commitment and Family Life Transitions

      • Ronald M. Sabatelli

      Pages 181-192

   4. Commitment and Adversity

      • John Lydon

      Pages 193-203

   5. The Relationship of Exchange and Commitment

      • Bernard I. Murstein

      Pages 205-219

   6. What Attachment Styles and Love Styles Add to the Understanding of Relationship Commitment and Stability

      • Keith E. Davis

      Pages 221-237

   7. Interpersonal Commitments

      • Robert K. Leik, Timothy J. Owens, Irving Tallman

      Pages 239-256

6. Commitment within Diverse Populations

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 257-257

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A fundamental assumption underlying the formation of our most important relationships is that they will persist indefinitely into the future. As an acquaintanceship turns into a friend­ ship, for example, both members of this newly formed interpersonal bond are likely to expect that their interactions will become increasingly frequent, diverse, and intimate over time. This expectation is perhaps most apparent in romantically involved couples who, through a variety of verbal and symbolic means, make explicit pledges to a long-lasting relationship. In either case, it is clear that these relationships represent something valuable to the individuals in­ volved and are pursued with great enthusiasm. Virtually all close relationships are formed within the context of mutually rewarding in­ teractions and/or strong physical attraction between partners. Friends and romantically in­ volved couples alike are drawn to one another because of similarity of attitudes, interests, and personality and, quite simply, because they enjoy one another's company. This enjoyment, cou­ pled with the novelty that characterizes new relationships, almost makes the continuation of the relationship a foregone conclusion. As relationships progress, however, their novelty fades, conflicts may arise between partners, negative life events may occur, and the satisfaction that previously characterized the relationships may diminish.

• Innovation
• Moral
• cognition
• communication
• interdependence
• stability

• High Point University, High Point, USA

  Jeffrey M. Adams

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA

  Warren H. Jones

Policies and ethics