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

This engaging, interdisciplinary primer brings together theory and research on three major aspects of human mating dynamics: love, sexuality, and marriage. The book is divided into three parts that encompass a wide range of theoretical and empirical work. Part One considers the topic of love and begins with an exploration of theory and research on the nature of love. Special attention is given to the two types of love that have received the most scrutiny from social and behavioural scientists: passionate and companionate love. This part ends with a consideration of problematic aspects of love relationships. Part Two explores relational sexuality. Topics include beliefs and attitudes about the role of sex in dating and marital relationships, as well as sexuality in beginning and established relationships. Problematic aspects of relational sexuality ranging from sexual aggression and violence to sexual infidelity and sexual dissatisfaction are also considered. Part Three focuses on mate selection and marriage, presenting theoretical frameworks for understanding human mating, summarizing research on mate preferences, and exploring attraction and courtship. Theories of relationship development are discussed, as is research on mate choice and marriage in both the United States and around the world.