title: Ideals in intimate relationships.
abstract: This research examined lay relationship and partner ideals in romantic relationships from both a social-cognitive and an evolutionary perspective. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that the qualities of an ideal partner were represented by 3 factors (partner warmth-trustworthiness, vitality-attractiveness, and status-resources), whereas the qualities of an ideal relationship were represented by 2 factors (relationship intimacy-loyalty and passion). A confirmatory factor analysis in Study 3 replicated these factor structures but found considerable overlap across the partner and relationship dimensions. Studies 4 and 5 produced convergent and discriminant validity evidence for all 5 factors. Study 6 indicated that the higher the consistency between the ideals and related assessments of the current partner and relationship, the more positively the current relationship was evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. g.fletcher@psyc.canterbury.ac.nz
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giles
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology