How do people choose their intimate partners? The Ideal Standards Model in Romantic Relationships – some answers and questions
How do people choose their intimate partners? The Ideal Standards Model in Romantic Relationships – some answers and questions

Summary/Abstract: In this article we describe the Ideal Standards Model (Fletcher & Simpson, 2000), a newly developed perspective on human mating. The model focuses on the content and functions of partner and relationship ideals in romantic relationships. According to the ISM, the partner ideals include three distinct components (warmth‑trustworthiness, vitality‑atractiveness, and status‑resources), while the relationship ideals include two categories (intimacy‑loyalty and passion). Also, ideals have three functions: evaluation, explanation, and regulation. The model provides explanation for the situation when the ideals do not match the perception of the actual partner, depending on two motivating situations: the need to be accurate or the need to idealize and enhance the romantic partner or relationship.

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