The Anatomy of Romance - Essay Example

The research addressed two major issues:  attachment and affiliative behavioral systems and gender differences in the descriptions of dating partners and romance.  Affiliative more than attachment qualities were expected of the descriptions of and behaviors towards dating partners and romance since attachment is not expected until stable or committed relationships emerge. Also, girls were expected to emphasize the interpersonal aspects of romantic relationships, such as commitment and self-disclosure, whereas boys focus more on their partner's physical attractiveness and sexual relations. The casual nature and group context of romance in adolescence indicate that affiliative qualities of companionship, intimacy, and support were viewed as positive aspects of romantic relationships, whereas love and security were not, which were more related to attachment qualities.

Companionship makes friendships fulfilling, and same-sex friendships appear to provide the foundation for romantic relationships. Thus, the importance of friendship and affiliative qualities in adolescents’ conceptions of romance seems apparent. Interviews with adolescents surfaced responses that indicated that romantic partner selection in late adolescence and early adulthood commences based on stimulus characteristics, such as desirable personality and physical attractiveness. In the adolescents’ reports, physical attraction to a prospective romantic partner is expressed as finding the person cute, pretty, or handsome, rather than in terms of sexuality (e.g. a good kisser).

As the relationship progresses, common interests and values, and then interpersonal compatibility become essential. According to research done by Fisher, there is also the possibility of an association of low levels of serotonin to the obsessive thoughts that often accompany romance and love. There is a “negative relationship between serotonin and its relatives, dopamine, and norepinephrine, As levels of dopamine and norepinephrine climb, they can cause serotonin levels to plummet.