Intimate Relationship

Intimate relationships increase the negative consequences of deviant behavior.

• People in intimate, committed relationships are less likely to misuse alcohol and drugs (Maume, Ousey, & Beaver, 2005).
• Intimate relationships help to regulate behavior.

• Happier and healthier ppl. are more attractive to potential Relationship Partners
• IR offers protection effects

• Ppl. are seen as more attractive if they have small flaws they feel a bit embarssed about: Other can relate to them better -> everyone think they're perfect with small flaws
• Maybe similarity is respnsible for the Plattfall Effect: Ppl. are more attracted to ppl. with the same background and values
• Similarity matters less when it comes to personality

The mere-exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon by which people tend to develop a preference for things or ppl. merely because they are familiar with them. In social psychology, this effect is sometimes called the familiarity principle.