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Psychology of Relationships

This module lets you explore the topic of close relationships from a social psychological perspective. The aim is to develop a critical understanding of current social psychological knowledge relating to the formation and maintenance of romantic sexual relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore some of the ways in which psychology can inform the growing field of sex and couple therapy.

What does the module cover?

How do romantic relationships get started? How do partners manage change & stability in long-term romantic relationships?  What is the link between satisfaction, closeness and autonomy?  Here, you’ll gain comprehensive knowledge of social psychological answers to questions such as these.  Develop awareness of the changing nature of ‘modern’ romantic intimacy and the role this plays in shaping partners’ representations and evaluations of relationship-satisfaction.  What’s more, you’ll become familiar with basic principles underling the process of therapy with couples.  And, think critically about romantic relationships offered by mainstream social psychologists, evolutionary psychologists, feminists, and sex & couple therapists; and about the importance of society, culture and discourse relative to romantic relationships

More Information

Module Code:
PY3021

Key topics include:

•    Conceptual issues in studying close relationships
o    Main theoretical frameworks    
o    Gender, sexuality, power dynamics, and gender differences

•    Formation of close relationships
o    Interpersonal attraction
o    Romantic Love
o    Adult attachment

•    Maintenance of close relationships
o    Relational maintenance: managing change and stability
o    Intimacy
o    Satisfaction

•    Issues for sex and couple therapy
o    Critical appraisals: developments and controversies
o    Therapy with couples: core principles and illustrations

Pre-requisites

None

Number of credits & study time

20 credits / 200 hours

Assessment

You’ll be required to successfully complete one coursework essay, counting towards 50% of your grade.  You’ll also need to sit a two-hour unseen exam where you must answer two questions from a choice of four.  The exam component of the assessment will count towards 50% of your final grade for this module.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
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