• Understand the concept of interdependence and its relevance to close relationships.
  
  
• Outline some of the major characteristics of parent-child and sibling relationships.
  
  
• Consider the nature of close friendships and highlight how same-sex and opposite-sex friendships tend to function.
  
  
• Detail and contrast the three initial types of attachment outlined (in the study of parent-mother-infant interactions) with the four types offered by Bartholomew and colleagues.
  
  
• Consider why loneliness develops, its consequences, and ways to overcome it.
  
  
• Explain why and how a romantic relationship differs from a close friendship.
  
  
• Clarify how passionate love differs from unrequited and companionate love.
  
  
• Contrast the elements of Hendrick and Hendrick's (1986) love styles with that of Sternberg's (1986) triangular model of love.
  
  
• Outline how sexuality and sexual practices have differed over the course of the past several decades and discuss the implications of these changes.
  
  
• Discuss the importance and role of similarity, assumed similarity, individual differences, and sexual interactions in a marriage.
  
  
• Consider the benefits and challenges of marriage.
  
  
• Discuss how parenthood affects marriage and note how the prototype of the American family has been changing over the past few decades.
  
  
• Outline some of the common problems faced by married couples and helpful ways to deal with these issues.
  
  
• Discuss the behavioral options for those in a troubled marriage or intimate relationship.

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