The Mating Game
A Primer on Love, Sex, and Marriage

Third Edition

Pamela C. Regan - California State University, Los Angeles, USA

Other Titles in:
Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Sociology of the Family

March 2016 | 472 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

The Third Edition of The Mating Game: A Primer on Love, Sex, and Marriage is the only introductory text about human mating relationships aimed specifically at a university audience. Encompassing a wide array of disciplines, this comprehensive review of theory and empirical research takes an integrated perspective on the fundamental human experiences of attraction and courtship; mate selection and marriage; and love and sex. Strongly grounded in methodology and research design, the book offers relevant examples and anecdotes along with ample pedagogy that will spark debate and discussion on provocative and complex topics.

PART I. Mating Relationships

Chapter 1: Mate Preferences

Theoretical Approaches to Human Mating

Methods Used to Examine Mate Preferences

Empirical Evidence

Continuing Debates

Chapter 2: Attraction, Affiliation, and Courtship

Who Do We Like? Principles of Romantic Attraction

Who Do We Approach? Principles of Romantic Affiliation

How Do We Convey Romantic Interest? Principles of Flirting

E-Courtship: Attraction, Affiliation, and Flirting in Cyberspace

The First Date

Beyond the First Date: Initiating a Romantic Relationship

Pathways to Commitment

Chapter 3: Relationship Development

The Sequence of Relationship Development

The Process of Relationship Development

Chapter 4: Marriage and Mate Selection

Mating Systems Across Cultures

The Nature of Marriage

Division of Labor

Marital Satisfaction: How Happy Are Married Couples?

Has Marriage Changed Over Time?

Same-Sex Marriage

Cohabitation: An Alternative to Marriage

Chapter 5: Conflict and Dissolution

Conflict

Relationship Dissolution

Chapter 6: Intervention

Identifying Distressed Relationships

Treating Distressed Relationships

Does Therapy Work?

Part II. Love

Chapter 7: General Theories of Love

The Triangular Theory of Love

The Colors (Styles) of Love

The Prototype Approach: Mental Models of Love

Chapter 8: Passionate and Companionate Love

Passionate Love: A “Sexy” Kind of Love

Companionate Love: A “Sturdy” Kind of Love

Chapter 9: Love Gone Bad: Problematic Aspects of Love

Unrequited Passionate Love: When the One We Love Does Not Love Us

Relational Stalking: When Romantic Interest Becomes Obsession

Relational Aggression: When Love Turns Violent

Loss of Passion: When Attraction Fades

PART III. Sex

Chapter 10: Sexual Attitudes

Beliefs About Sex in Dating Relationships

Beliefs About Sex in Marital Relationships

Chapter 11: Sex in Beginning Relationships

Sexuality and the Attraction Process

Sexuality in Beginning Relationships

Chapter 12: Sex in Established Relationships

Sexual Frequency

Sexual Practices

Sexual Preferences

Sexual Satisfaction

Sexual Communication

Sexuality and Relationship Satisfaction

Chapter 13: Sex Gone Bad: Problematic Aspects of Relational Sex

Sexual Disinterest: When the One We Desire Does Not Desire Us

Sexual Assault: When Sex Becomes Nonconsensual

Sexual Infidelity: When the One We’ve Chosen Cheats

Sexual Jealousy: A Common Response to Infidelity

PART IV. Individual Differences

Chapter 14: Maleness and Femaleness

Biological Sex

Psychological Gender and Gender Role Orientation

Chapter 15: Personality

Supertraits

Self-Monitoring

Sociosexual Orientation

Chapter 16: Interpersonal Belief Systems

Attachment Styles

Rejection Sensitivity

Romanticism

Supplements

Instructor Resources Site

Instructor Resources

An author-created test bank with 500+ multiple-choice questions provides a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding.

Broad range of subjects covered

Dr Amanda Grieme Bradley

Psychology, Trevecca Nazarene University

July 18, 2019

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