Minding the Close Relationship
A Theory of Relationship Enhancement

Minding is a process that involves behavior, thought, and feeling that facilitate couples' achievement of closeness.

John H. Harvey (Author), Julia Omarzu (Author)

9780521633185, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 July 1999

236 pages, 1 table
23.6 x 16 x 2.2 cm, 0.475 kg

"This book offers an original, coherent theory of how relationships are maintained....The book is an important contribution to the literature on close relationships." Frank D. Fincham, University of Wales

This volume provides a statement of a theory of how committed romantic partners can maintain and enhance their close relationships over an extended period. It blends the relationship scholarship on closeness with practical advice and comparison of minding with several other major theories of how to maintain closeness. Minding is a package of reciprocal thought, feeling and behaviour and involves components of behaviour aimed at knowing and being known by one's partner, attribution about one's partner and the relationship, respect, acceptance and a never-ending commitment to the process. Minding the Close Relationship will serve as a supplementary textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in social psychology, communication, family studies, and clinical and counselling psychology.

Preface and acknowledgements
1. Introduction to the minding concept
2. Minding: definition and components
3. Knowing and being known by one's partner
4. Attributions in close relationships
5. Acceptance, respect, reciprocity, and continuity
6. Beginnings and endings
7. Minding in the close relationship literature
8. Minding and other major concepts of closeness
9. Evidence about minding in close relationships
10. An international perspective on minding
11. Minding in couples therapy and counseling
12. Limitations and future directions
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Social, group or collective psychology [JMH]