• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Psychology of Close Relationships

Module description

Close relationships with, for example, romantic partners, friends and family form the basis of human life. As social animals, we seek out belonging and closeness with others. Such relationships influence our health and well-being across the life course. However, maintaining and, more so, thriving in close relationships can be a difficult task. In this module, we will investigate the formation, maintenance and dissolution of close relationships, with a focus on adult romantic relationships. Furthermore, we will work to identify factors that promote or interfere with relationship functioning and consider how our relationships affect our general health and well-being. Some questions we will examine include, how do our experiences in childhood, good and bad, affect our ability to form stable relational bonds? Has social media changed the ways in which we find and approach potential romantic partners? How do romantic partners influence one another’s health behaviours? Do members of socially stigmatized groups experience unique challenges in their relationships? We will look at these and other related questions through the lens of decades of theory and research on close relationships in psychology.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this interactive module, we will take a broad, interdisciplinary approach to different facets of close relationships. Our aim will be to discover the fundamental, underlying processes that guide our behaviour in the social context. This module will allow you to investigate the fundamental social nature of human beings. The aim will be to examine the contribution that psychological theory and research, including from social, clinical and cognitive perspectives, can make to understanding close relationships.

Through attending the weekly seminars and participating in class discussions and exercises, interactive demonstrations, presentations, and debates you will develop your ability to:

• Think rationally and develop reasoned arguments, approach and solve problems in a rigorous and systematic way (linking theory to methods, developing your own ideas with confidence, being able to respond to novel and unfamiliar problems)
• Develop interdisciplinary skills (learning other disciplines can inform social psychology, and vice versa)
• Manage structure (identifying key demands of the task, setting clearly defined goals, responding flexibly to changing priorities)
• Develop time management skills (managing time effectively individually and within a group)
• Collaborate (respecting the views and values of others, taking initiative and leading others, supporting others in their work, maintaining group cohesiveness and purpose)
• Present to an audience of your peers (presenting ideas effectively in multiple formats, persuading others of the importance and relevance of your views, responding positively and effectively to questions)

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe and evaluate approaches to the study of close relationships
• 2. Explain underlying psychological processes affecting close relationships

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Review and critically evaluate research and identify the strengths and weaknesses of this work and structure this literature to present logical, coherent and sustained arguments to support conclusions at an advanced level
• 4. Address systematically complex problems which may be framed within unpredictable contexts, think critically, creatively, and independently and fully appreciate the complexities of the issues at an advanced level
• 5. Understand and apply essential principles in designing novel research, critically evaluate and analyse empirical evidence and assess the reliability of empirical evidence using a range of defined techniques at an advanced level

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Interact effectively and supportively within a learning group
• 7. Describe your own criteria of self-evaluation, challenge received opinion, reflect on your actions and seek and make use of feedback
• 8. Engage effectively in debate in a professional manner and produce detailed and coherent written work
• 9. Identify with confidence and flexibility complex problems and apply appropriate knowledge and methods for their solution
• 10. Manage time effectively to meet deadlines

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Attraction and relationship initiation
• Attachment and early life adversity
• Conflict and intimate partner violence
• Technology and online dating
• Stigma and relationships
• Relationship maintenance and dissolution
• Relationships and health
• Stress and social support
• Sex and sexuality

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Two assessments are required for this module. Where you have been referred/deferred in the examination you will have the opportunity to take a second examination in the August re-assessment period. Where you have been referred/deferred in the report you will be required to resubmit the report. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%; deferred marks are not capped.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Hatfield, E., Rapson, R.L., & Purvis, J. (2020). What’s next in love and sex: Psychological and cultural perspectives. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Key words search

Psychology, close relationships, romantic relationships, intimacy