Intimate Relationships across Cultures

Charles T. Hill is Professor of Psychology at Whittier College, California, where he won the Nerhood Teaching Excellence Award. He has a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Harvard University, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the American Psychological Association, and the American Sociological Association.

'This book is a remarkable historical achievement in the study of close relationships, representing the culmination of 38 years of research into the factors that keep couples in romantic relationships together … the book achieves a powerful melding of theory, data, and deep insight into what makes romantic relationships crucial sources of satisfaction, no matter where they happen to be.' R. R. Cornelius, Choice

• Foreword Daniel Perlman; Introduction: why was this book written?; 1. How do we know what matters in intimate relationships?; 2. Why do people seek intimate relationships?; 3. How are intimate partners selected?; 4. What is love and how is intimacy expressed?; 5. How do sexual attitudes and behaviors matter?; 6. What are the dynamics of exchange and power?; 7. How do couples cope with conflict?; 8. How do external factors matter in intimate relationships?; 9. How do intimate relationships relate to well-being?; 10. How do the predictions combine in comprehensive models?; 11. How much do the levels of factors vary?; 12. What are the implications of the study?; 13. How might the findings apply to other social relationships?; Epilogue: what future research is needed?