The Dark Side of Close Relationships II sheds light on the paradoxical, dialectical, and mystifying facets of interpersonal relationships. This volume showcases completely new work, moving forward from the unique contributions of the 1998 volume. This collection includes cutting-edge work on important topics in relationship studies, written by prominent scholars in a variety of disciplines. Among the chapter topics are: Age-gap relationships, Internet matchmaking services, in-law relationships, stepfamily relationships, living single, and women's relationships with incarcerated men. Collectively these works demonstrate that integrating both dark and bright elements offers a nuanced understanding of close relationships. Appropriate for scholars, practitioners, and students in communication, social psychology, personal relationships, sociology, and counseling, this volume will also serve as a popular text in graduate courses exploring interpersonal communication, ethics, and relationships. William R. Cupach received his Ph.D. in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California. Currently he is Professor of Communication at Illinois State University. In addition to numerous monographs and journal articles, he has co-authored or co-edited 12 books. He previously served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships and is a past President of the International Association for Relationship Research. Brian H. Spitzberg received his Ph.D. in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California. He is now a Professor in the School of Communication at San Diego State University. He has conducted extensive research on topics related to interpersonal communication skills ' and competence. He has published numerous scholarly articles and chapters, as well as co-authoring or co-editing the previous four editions related to the dark side, and two books on interpersonal competence.

Focuses on the paradoxical, dialectical, and mystifying facets of human interaction, not merely to elucidate dysfunctional relationship phenomena, but to help readers explore and understand it in relation to a broader understanding about relationships. This volume is of interest to relationship researchers in social psychology and sociology.

This volume examines the negative or "dark" elements of close relationships. For use by scholars and students in social psychology, personal relationships, and interpersonal communication.

Awards and Praise for the first edition: Recipient of the 2006 International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) Book Award "This text, as it presently stands, is THE go-to text for stalking researchers. That is my opinion and the opinion of multiple fellow scholars I know in the field. It rarely sits on my shelf, but rather is a constant reference on my desk. I can always count on these authors to have done an extensive review of literature. I thought I was thorough, but they are always providing me with new references." --Dr. H. Colleen Sinclair, Associate Professor of Psychology, Mississippi State University "Cupach and Spitzberg provide the reader with a multidisciplinary framework for understanding the nature and impact of unwanted relationship pursuits. This book is an excellent resource for students and professionals alike who seek to gain knowledge about unwanted relational pursuits and stalking." —Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy The Dark Side of Relationship Pursuit provides historical and definitional frames for studying unwanted relationship pursuit, and considers the role of the media, law, and social science research in shaping today’s conceptualizations of stalking. The volume integrates research from diverse contributing fields and disciplines, providing a thorough summary and assessment of current knowledge on stalking and obsessive pursuit. Building on the foundation of the award-winning first edition, this revision considers assessment issues, offers an expanded analysis of the meta-analysis data set, and includes coverage of intercultural and international factors. As an increasing number of scholarly disciplines and professional fields study stalking and other forms of obsessive relationship pursuit, this book is a must-have resource for examining interpersonal conflict, social and personal relationships, domestic violence, unrequited love, divorce and relational dissolution, and harassment. It also has much to offer researchers, counselors, and professionals in psychology, counseling, criminal justice, sociology, psychiatry, forensic evaluation, threat assessment, and law enforcement.

The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication examines the multifunctional ways in which seemingly productive communication can be destructive—and vice versa—and explores the many ways in which dysfunctional interpersonal communication operates across a variety of personal relationship contexts. This second edition of Brian Spitzberg and William Cupach’s classic volume presents new chapters and topics, along with updates of several chapters in the earlier edition, all in the context of surveying the scholarly landscape for new and important avenues of investigation. Offering much new content, this volume features internationally renowned scholars addressing such compelling topics as uncertainty and secrecy in relationships; the role of negotiating self in cyberspace; criticism and complaints; teasing and bullying; infidelity and relational transgressions; revenge; and adolescent physical aggression toward parents. The chapters are organized thematically and offer a range of perspectives from both junior scholars and seasoned academics. By posing questions at the micro and macro levels, The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication draws closer to a perspective in which the darker sides and brighter sides of human experience are better integrated in theory and research. Appropriate for scholars, practitioners, and students in communication, social psychology, sociology, counseling, conflict, personal relationships, and related areas, this book is also useful as a text in graduate courses on interpersonal communication, ethics, and other special topics.

The negative interactions that take place between dating and courting partners, most notably physical aggression and sexual exploitation, are explored in this volume. The authors blend qualitative interviews with current research findings.

A relational approach to the study of interpersonal communication Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships, Fifth Edition helps students better understand their relationships with romantic partners, friends, and family members. Bestselling authors Laura K. Guerrero, Peter A. Andersen, and Walid A. Afifi offer research-based insights and content illustrated with engaging scenarios to show how state-of-the-art research and theory can be applied to specific issues within relationships—with a focus on issues that are central to describing and understanding close relationships. While maintaining the spotlight on communication, the authors also emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the study of personal relationships by including research from such disciplines as social psychology and family studies. The book covers issues relevant to developing, maintaining, repairing, and ending relationships. Both the "bright" and "dark" sides of interpersonal communication within relationships are explored.