Editing Intimate relationship (section)

==== 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>