Unweaving the rainbow of human sexuality : a review of one-night stands, serious romantic relationships, and the relationship space in between

Peter K. Jonason, Rhonda N. Balzarini

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

For 50 years, relationship researchers have primarily focused on two varieties of relationships; one-night stands and serious romantic relationships. Both of these are treated as (1) distinct relationships and (2) a comprehensive list of the relationships people of any sexual orientation engage in. However, over the last 10 years this apparent simplicity has been called into question; researchers have revealed a rainbow of potential relationships that individuals can and do engage in. From this perspective, relationships may act as “compromises” between two extremes (i.e., pure monogamy or pure zero-acquaintance sex) and are negotiated in the course of relationship development. Relationships then reflect different levels of short-term mating and long-term mating aspects simultaneously. In this review, we examine research on one-night stands, serious romantic relationships, booty-call relationships, friends-with-benefits, swinging, and polyamory. Throughout, we highlight the utility of evolutionary models to account for behaviors and patterns in these relationships and discuss the importance of an unbiased and unabashed look at the sex lives of people.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Psychology of Love and Hate in Intimate Relationships
EditorsKatherine Aumer
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
PublisherSpringer
Pages13-28
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9783319392776
ISBN (Print)9783319392752
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • non-monogamous relationships
  • polygamy
  • relationships
  • sex

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