Editing Intimate relationship (section)

=== Formation ===

==== Attraction ====
[[Interpersonal attraction]] is the foundation of first impressions between potential intimate partners. [[Relationship science|Relationship scientists]] suggest that the romantic spark, or "chemistry", that occurs between people is a combination of physical attraction, personal qualities, and a build-up of positive interactions between people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eastwick |first1=Paul W. |last2=Finkel |first2=Eli J. |last3=Joel |first3=Samantha |date=2023 |title=Mate evaluation theory. |journal=Psychological Review |language=en |volume=130 |issue=1 |pages=211–241 |doi=10.1037/rev0000360 |pmid=35389716 |s2cid=248024402 |issn=1939-1471 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Researchers find physical attractiveness to be the largest predictor of initial attraction.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eastwick |first1=Paul W. |last2=Luchies |first2=Laura B. |last3=Finkel |first3=Eli J. |last4=Hunt |first4=Lucy L. |date=2014 |title=The predictive validity of ideal partner preferences: A review and meta-analysis. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/a0032432 |journal=Psychological Bulletin |language=en |volume=140 |issue=3 |pages=623–665 |doi=10.1037/a0032432 |pmid=23586697 |issn=1939-1455|url-access=subscription }}</ref> From an evolutionary perspective, this may be because people search for a partner (or potential mate) who displays indicators of good physical health.<ref>Graziano, William G.; Bruce, Jennifer Weisho, {{Citation |title=Attraction and the Initiation of Relationships: A Review of the Empirical Literature |date=2018-09-05 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780429020513-24 |work=Handbook of Relationship Initiation |pages=275–301 |access-date=2023-11-01 |publisher=Psychology Press |doi=10.4324/9780429020513-24 |isbn=978-0-429-02051-3|s2cid=210531741 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Yet, there is also evidence that couples in committed intimate relationships tend to match each other in physical attractiveness, and are rated as similarly physically attractive by both the members of the couple and by outside observers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Feingold |first=Alan |date=1988 |title=Matching for attractiveness in romantic partners and same-sex friends: A meta-analysis and theoretical critique. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/0033-2909.104.2.226 |journal=Psychological Bulletin |language=en |volume=104 |issue=2 |pages=226–235 |doi=10.1037/0033-2909.104.2.226 |issn=1939-1455|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="Bradbury-2019">{{Cite book |last1=Bradbury |first1=Thomas N. |url= |title=Intimate Relationships |last2=Karney |first2=Benjamin R. |date=2019-07-01 |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |isbn=978-0-393-64025-0 |edition=3rd |language=English}}</ref> An individual's perception of their own attractiveness may therefore influence who they see as a realistic partner.<ref name="Bradbury-2019" />

Beyond physical appearance, people report desirable qualities they look for in a partner such as trustworthiness, warmth, and loyalty.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Campbell |first1=Lorne |last2=Fletcher |first2=Garth JO |date=2015 |title=Romantic relationships, ideal standards, and mate selection |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X15000548 |journal=Current Opinion in Psychology |series=Relationship science |volume=1 |pages=97–100 |doi=10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.01.007 |issn=2352-250X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> However, these romantic ideals are not necessarily good predictors of actual attraction or relationship success. Research has found little evidence for the success of matching potential partners based on personality traits, suggesting that romantic chemistry involves more than compatibility of traits.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eastwick |first1=Paul W |last2=Joel |first2=Samantha |last3=Carswell |first3=Kathleen L |last4=Molden |first4=Daniel C |last5=Finkel |first5=Eli J |last6=Blozis |first6=Shelley A |date=2023 |title=Predicting romantic interest during early relationship development: A preregistered investigation using machine learning |journal=European Journal of Personality |language=en |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=276–312 |doi=10.1177/08902070221085877 |s2cid=241096185 |issn=0890-2070|doi-access=free }}</ref> Rather, repeated positive interactions between people and reciprocity of romantic interest seem to be key components in attraction and relationship formation. [[Reciprocal liking]] is most meaningful when it is displayed by someone who is selective about who they show liking to.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eastwick |first1=Paul W. |last2=Finkel |first2=Eli J. |last3=Mochon |first3=Daniel |last4=Ariely |first4=Dan |date=2007 |title=Selective Versus Unselective Romantic Desire: Not All Reciprocity Is Created Equal |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01897.x |journal=Psychological Science |language=en |volume=18 |issue=4 |pages=317–319 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01897.x |pmid=17470256 |s2cid=2843605 |issn=0956-7976|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==== Initiation strategies ====
When potential intimate partners are getting to know each other, they employ a variety of strategies to increase closeness and gain information about whether the other person is a desirable partner. [[Self-disclosure]], the process of revealing information about oneself, is a crucial aspect of building intimacy between people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Collins |first1=Nancy L. |last2=Miller |first2=Lynn Carol |date=1994 |title=Self-disclosure and liking: A meta-analytic review. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/0033-2909.116.3.457 |journal=Psychological Bulletin |language=en |volume=116 |issue=3 |pages=457–475 |doi=10.1037/0033-2909.116.3.457 |pmid=7809308 |s2cid=13919881 |issn=1939-1455|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Feelings of intimacy increase when a conversation partner is perceived as responsive and reciprocates self-disclosure, and people tend to like others who disclose emotional information to them.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Laurenceau |first1=Jean-Philippe |last2=Barrett |first2=Lisa Feldman |last3=Pietromonaco |first3=Paula R. |date=1998 |title=Intimacy as an interpersonal process: The importance of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness in interpersonal exchanges. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1238 |journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology |language=en |volume=74 |issue=5 |pages=1238–1251 |doi=10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1238 |pmid=9599440 |s2cid=1209571 |issn=0022-3514|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Other strategies used in the relationship formation stage include humor, initiating physical touch, and signaling availability and interest through eye contact, [[Flirting|flirtatious]] body language, or playful interactions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Clark |first1=Catherine L. |last2=Shaver |first2=Phillip R. |last3=Abrahams |first3=Matthew F. |date=1999 |title=Strategic Behaviors in Romantic Relationship Initiation |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167299025006006 |journal=Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin |language=en |volume=25 |issue=6 |pages=709–722 |doi=10.1177/0146167299025006006 |s2cid=146305141 |issn=0146-1672|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Moore |first=Monica M. |date=2010-03-24 |title=Human Nonverbal Courtship Behavior—A Brief Historical Review |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224490903402520 |journal=Journal of Sex Research |language=en |volume=47 |issue=2–3 |pages=171–180 |doi=10.1080/00224490903402520 |pmid=20358459 |s2cid=15115115 |issn=0022-4499|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Engaging in [[dating]], [[courtship]], or [[hookup culture]] as part of the relationship formation period allows individuals to explore different interpersonal connections before further investing in an intimate relationship.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Skipper |first1=James K. |last2=Nass |first2=Gilbert |date=1966 |title=Dating Behavior: A Framework for Analysis and an Illustration |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/349537 |journal=Journal of Marriage and Family |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=412–420 |doi=10.2307/349537 |jstor=349537 |issn=0022-2445|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==== Context ====
[[File:How_heterosexual_couples_have_met,_data_from_2009_and_2017.png|thumb|388x388px|The internet has become a popular avenue for meeting an intimate partner.]]
Context, timing, and external circumstances influence attraction and whether an individual is receptive to beginning an intimate relationship. Individuals vary across the lifespan in feeling ready for a relationship, and other external pressures including family expectations, peers being in committed relationships, and cultural [[Norms (sociology)|norms]] influence when people decide to pursue an intimate relationship.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Agnew |first1=Christopher R. |title=Relationship Receptivity Theory: Timing and Interdependent Relationships |date=2020 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/interdependence-interaction-and-close-relationships/relationship-receptivity-theory/049BF596EEAE72A0E53640AC4637F3D5 |work=Interdependence, Interaction, and Close Relationships |pages=269–292 |editor-last=Agnew |editor-first=Christopher R. |access-date=2023-11-08 |series=Advances in Personal Relationships |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |doi=10.1017/9781108645836.014 |isbn=978-1-108-48096-3 |last2=Hadden |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Tan |first3=Kenneth |s2cid=225698943 |editor2-last=Machia |editor2-first=Laura V. |editor3-last=Arriaga |editor3-first=Ximena B.|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Being in close physical proximity is a powerful facilitator for formation of relationships because it allows people to get to know each other through repeated interactions. Intimate partners commonly meet at college or school, as coworkers, as neighbors, at bars, or through religious community.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Sprecher |first1=Susan |title=Relationship initiation and development. |date=2015 |url=https://doi.org/10.1037/14344-008 |work=APA handbook of personality and social psychology, Volume 3: Interpersonal relations. |pages=211–245 |access-date=2023-11-17 |place=Washington |publisher=American Psychological Association |language=en |doi=10.1037/14344-008 |last2=Felmlee |first2=Diane |last3=Metts |first3=Sandra |last4=Cupach |first4=William|isbn=978-1-4338-1703-8 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> [[Speed dating]], [[Matchmaking|matchmakers]], and [[Online dating|online dating services]] are more structured formats used to begin relationships. The internet in particular has significantly changed how intimate relationships begin as it allows people to access potential partners beyond their immediate proximity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rosenfeld |first1=Michael J. |last2=Thomas |first2=Reuben J. |date=2012 |title=Searching for a Mate: The Rise of the Internet as a Social Intermediary |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0003122412448050 |journal=American Sociological Review |language=en |volume=77 |issue=4 |pages=523–547 |doi=10.1177/0003122412448050 |s2cid=145539089 |issn=0003-1224|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wu |first1=Shangwei |last2=Trottier |first2=Daniel |date=2022-04-03 |title=Dating apps: a literature review |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23808985.2022.2069046 |journal=Annals of the International Communication Association |language=en |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=91–115 |doi=10.1080/23808985.2022.2069046 |s2cid=248618275 |issn=2380-8985}}</ref> In 2023, [[Pew Research Center]] found that 53% of people under 30 have used online dating, and one in ten adults in a committed relationship met their partner online.<ref name="Vogels">{{Cite web |last1=Vogels |first1=Emily A. |last2=McClain |first2=Colleen |title=Key findings about online dating in the U.S. |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/02/key-findings-about-online-dating-in-the-u-s/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Pew Research Center |date=2 February 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> However, there remains skepticism about the effectiveness and safety of dating apps due to their potential to facilitate [[dating violence]].<ref name="Vogels" />