Close relationships are central to our lives; friends, parents, siblings, romantic partners, social networks, and acquaintances, have an enormous influence on our thoughts, feelings and behavior. The purpose of this course is to help students understand the processes that regulate human social relationships, through the lens of psychological method. It will include an overview of the social-psychological theories of relationships research and an exploration of the current literature. Specifically, this course will focus on topics such as: our need for relationships, interpersonal attraction, intimacy, love, attachment, communication, relationship maintenance, sexuality, relationship trajectories, relationship dissolution, jealousy, and extra-dyadic relationships.

CILO-1: Describe different theories about the development and maintenance of close relationships. CILO-2: Appreciate the nature, pros and cons, and implications for knowledge of various research methods used in studying close relationships. CILO-3: Analyse the interaction of personal choice and societal influences as well as the diverse processes and structures of close relationships in contemporary society. CILO-4: Apply concepts learned to 'real-life' situations (hypothetical and their own) and be able to evaluate the outcomes of various courses of action in relationships.