1st Edition

The Dark Side of Close Relationships II

Edited By William R. Cupach, Brian H. Spitzberg Copyright 2011
    472 Pages
    by Routledge

    472 Pages
    by Routledge

    The Dark Side of Close Relationships II is a completely new and up-to-date version of the original volume published in 1998, featuring new topics and authors. The volume showcases cutting-edge work on important topics by prominent scholars in multiple disciplines. It sheds light on the paradoxical, dialectical, and mystifying facets of human interaction, not merely to elucidate dysfunctional relationship phenomena, but to help readers explore and understand it in relation to a broader understanding about relationships. As previous Dark Side investigations have revealed, negative or dysfunctional outcomes can occur in relationships even though positive and functional ones are expected, and at the same time, positive silver linings are often found in some dark relational clouds. Such nuanced approaches are needed to better account for the complexity of close relationships. A unique and provocative collection, this volume will appeal to relationship researchers in communication, social psychology, family studies, and sociology.

    1. Overview of the Dark Side of Relationships Research

    Daniel Perlman and Rodrigo J. Carcedo

    2. May-December Paradoxes: An Exploration of Age-Gap Relationships in Western Society

    Justin J. Lehmiller and Christopher R. Agnew

    3. Fairytales and Tragedies: Narratively Making Sense of the Dark Side (and the Dark Side of Making Sense) of Personal Relationships

    Jody Koenig Kellas, Erin K. Willer, and Haley Kranstuber

    4. Dark Sides of Computer-Mediated Communication

    David C. DeAndrea, Stephanie Tom Tong, and Joseph B. Walther

    5. Internet Matching Services: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Disguised as Attractive)

    Susan Sprecher

    6. Affectionate Communication is Good, Except When it isn’t: On the Dark Side of Expressing Affection

    Kory Floyd and Perry M. Pauley

    7. Infidelity: When, Where, Why

    Irene Tsapelas, Helen E. Fisher, and Arthur Aron

    8. Relational Turbulence: What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes Us Stronger

    Denise Haunani Solomon and Jennifer A. Theiss

    9. In-Laws or Outlaws: The Dark and the Bright in In-Law Relationships

    Mary Claire Morr Serewicz and Rebecca A. Hosmer

    10. Dark Clouds with Silver Linings: The (Dys)Functional Ambivalence of Stepfamily

    Relationships

    Paul Schrodt and Dawn O. Braithwaite

    11. Women’s Relationships with Incarcerated Men

    Susan A. Miller and Diane H. Felmlee

    12. The Meaning of Girls’ Social Aggression: Nasty or Mastery?

    Erin K. Willer and William R. Cupach

    13. Intimate Partner Violence and Aggression: Seeing the Light in a Dark Place

    Brian H. Spitzberg

    14. Narcissism and Relationships: From Light to Dark

    Joshua D. Foster and Jean M. Twenge

    15. Living Single: Lightening Up those Dark, Dopey Myths

    Bella DePaulo

    Biography

    William R. Cupach received his Ph.D. in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California. Currently he is Professor of Communication at Illinois State University. In addition to numerous monographs and journal articles, he has co-authored or co-edited twelve books. He previously served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships and is a past President of the International Association for Relationship Research.

    Brian H. Spitzberg received his Ph.D. in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California. He is now a Professor in the School of Communication at San Diego State University. He has conducted extensive research on topics related to interpersonal communication skills and competence. He has published numerous scholarly articles and chapters, as well as co-authoring or co-editing the previous four editions related to the dark side, and two books on interpersonal competence.

    "They succeed in presenting a coherent volume that incorporates myriad disciplinary perspectives, including communication, psychology, anthropology, and sociology." - CHOICE, April 2011