Book contents
- Positive Approaches to Optimal Relationship Development
- Advances in Personal Relationships
- Positive Approaches to Optimal Relationship Development
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures and tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Part I Major theoretical perspectives
- Part II Concepts and mechanisms
- 5 Capitalization: the good news about close relationships
- 6 The positive implications of sex for relationships
- 7 The power of diagnostic situations: how support and conflict can foster growth and security
- 8 The role of passion in optimal relationships
- 9 The dyadic nature of ideal and partner perceptions in romantic relationships
- 10 For it is in giving that we receive: the benefits of sacrifice in relationships
- 11 For better or worse: compassionate goals create good relationships in good times and bad
- 12 Synchrony in positive social relationships
- Part III Effective interventions
- Index
- References
11 - For better or worse: compassionate goals create good relationships in good times and bad
from Part II - Concepts and mechanisms
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 April 2016
Book contents
- Positive Approaches to Optimal Relationship Development
- Advances in Personal Relationships
- Positive Approaches to Optimal Relationship Development
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures and tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Part I Major theoretical perspectives
- Part II Concepts and mechanisms
- 5 Capitalization: the good news about close relationships
- 6 The positive implications of sex for relationships
- 7 The power of diagnostic situations: how support and conflict can foster growth and security
- 8 The role of passion in optimal relationships
- 9 The dyadic nature of ideal and partner perceptions in romantic relationships
- 10 For it is in giving that we receive: the benefits of sacrifice in relationships
- 11 For better or worse: compassionate goals create good relationships in good times and bad
- 12 Synchrony in positive social relationships
- Part III Effective interventions
- Index
- References
Summary
Intentions toward relationship partners—specifically, compassionate goals to be constructive and supportive—are a key to creating good relationships. When people strive to be supportive and constructive toward their relationship partners, they tend to become more supportive and responsive over time. Their relationship partners notice and respond in kind, becoming more supportive and responsive themselves. Over time, the mutual support and responsiveness that these intentions foster improve the quality of relationships for both people. Thus, intentions to be supportive and constructive can be the starting point of creating good relationships and can result in increased self-esteem, greater feelings of security in the relationship, and less concern about rejection. Furthermore, goals to be constructive and supportive foster good relationships regardless of one’s level of self-esteem, attachment insecurity, or sensitivity to rejection. They do so for a variety of relationship types, from relationships between previously unacquainted college roommates, to romantic couples, and they do so in good times and in bad times, when issues and conflicts arise. By carefully setting their intentions toward relationship partners, people can create the good relationships they want.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Positive Approaches to Optimal Relationship Development , pp. 232 - 256Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2016
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