STRATAGEMS, SPOILS, AND A SERPENT'S TOOTH: ON THE DELIGHTS AND DILEMMAS OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

In contrast to the clinical research that warms considerably to emotions such as anxiety, anger, depression, hostility, and aggression, researchers in personal relationships have proved remarkably nice and optimistic. For instance, of the 58 articles published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships for 1991-1992, 34 deal with support, intimacy, love, romance, coping, maintenance of relationships, facilitation of relationships, and competence (one title even contains the words "optimism about love"). Of the remainder, 12 deal with the positive role of relationships as a moderator of various stresses, and only 7 look at rejection, dissolution of relationships, loneliness. and other negative aspects of relating (the remaining papers deal with scale development, etc.).