Includes bibliographical references and index.

"How do we choose a partner to initiate a relationship with, and what makes us stay in a given relationship over time? These questions are most often pursued by scholars with an emphasis on the internal thoughts, feelings, and motivations of individual decision-makers. Conversely, this volume highlights the importance of considering external influences on individual decision-making in close relationships. Featuring contributions from internationally renowned scholars, the volume is divided into two interrelated sections. The first section considers global and societal influences on romantic relationships and the second section focuses on social network and communicative influences on romantic relationships. Taken together, this collection helps us to better understand how external factors influence the internal machinations of those involved in intimate relationships"-- Provided by publisher.

"How do we choose a partner to initiate a relationship with, and what makes us stay in a given relationship over time? These questions are most often pursued by scholars with an emphasis on the internal thoughts, feelings, and motivations of individual decision-makers. Conversely, this volume highlights the importance of considering external influences on individual decision-making in close relationships. Featuring contributions from internationally renowned scholars, the volume is divided into two interrelated sections"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduction: external influences beyond the dyad / Christopher R. Agnew -- Part I. Global and Societal Influences on Romantic Relationships: 1. The influence of globalization and technological development on intimate relationships / �Cagla Sanri and Robin Goodwin; 2. Social capitalization in personal relationships / Robert M. Milardo, Heather M. Helms, Eric D. Widmer, and Stephen R. Marks; 3. Family relationships embedded in United States military culture / Leanne K. Knobloch and Erin C. Wehrman; 4. Prejudice and stigma in intimate relationships: implications for relationship and personal health outcomes / Justin J. Lehmiller and Michael Ioerger -- Part II. Social Network and Communicative Influences on Romantic Relationships: 5. The influence of subjective norms on close relationships / Paul E. Etcheverry and Benjamin Le; 6. Network perceptions of daters' romances / Elizabeth Keneski and Timothy J. Loving; 7. The new story of Romeo and Juliet / H. Colleen Sinclair and Chelsea N. Ellithorpe; 8. Third-party forgiveness: social influences on intimate dyads / Jeffrey D. Green, Jody L. Davis and Chelsea A. Reid; 9. Relationship advice / Erina Lynne MacGeorge and Elizabeth Dorrance Hall.