Running Head Romantic Relationship Case Study

Running Head Romantic Relationship Case Study 1romantic Relationshi

Running Head Romantic Relationship Case Study 1romantic Relationshi

1 Romantic Relationship Case Study 5 Romantic Relationship Case Study Veronica Cheers Grand Canyon: PCN 530 Sep 27, 2017 Caren and Jacob: A Couple in Lust or Love!! It’s a cold Friday afternoon in small town GA and Caren is meeting friends at the local bar when across the room she spots a handsome stranger. Caren’s not normally the type to approach a guy and is not really thinking she will end the night approaching this mystery fellow. Her friends finally get to the bar distracting her as they begin celebrating her birthday. A few drinks are exchanged and she has been talking about mystery guy all night.

What is a girl to do but take a walk across the room? Meet Jacob better known as mystery guy. Jacob has also been watching and waiting for his chance to make a move. He spotted Caren when she first walked in and wondered whether or not she was available but was worried she was here meeting a date. He has been watching her and sees her on the dance floor and decides it is his time to make a move.

He slowly begins to approach but sees that she dancing with another guy. He decides maybe he has missed his shot and goes back to hanging with the guys. As the night goes on Caren and Jacob both end up at the bar getting drinks for their friends. They exchange pleasantries and begin talking completely forgetting about their friends waiting on drinks across the room. Numbers are exchanged and a few more drinks are share the groups have meshed and they spend the rest of the night talking and enjoying the others company.

The night slowly comes to an end and Jacob says he’ll give Caren a call later in the week so they can meet for drinks. A few days later Jacob gives Caren a call and they decide to meet for drinks and dinner on Friday after work. During dinner they find out that they have similar interest. Caren is a diehard Falcon fan and so is Jacob. Caren talked about how she initially saw him across the bar but was going to continue to watch from a distance.

They go on several more dates and relationship begins to develop into something more than just friends. They are spending more time together, meeting for lunch and taking weekend trips just to get away. They are talking daily, exchanging childhood stories and sharing dinner dates with friends. What begin as a mild attraction has now turned into a full blown relationship. Caren and Jacob do everything together and when they are not together they are thinking of when the next time is that they will be together.

Their friends think they are the cutest most sickening couple and secretly wished they would just move in together or something. Five Stages According to Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus (2014), “attraction occurs when two people become aware of each other and find one another appealing or enticing” (p. 211). Caren and Jacob spot each other from across a crowded bar. They both see something in the other that causes them to take pause.

Caren feels that Jacob is attractive, but is not sure with her attitude whether or not she will even take a chance. Building happens as couples start learning more and more about each other and begin more comfortable sharing things that make them tick. As their relationship develops more and the level of intimacy changes both Caren and Jacob learn that they have similar interest. They begin to see each other more and the level of attraction has also increased to the point that they would sometimes even rattle on about the other to their friends. “Continuation established patterns of interaction remain relatively stable; relationship will mature and evolve as time passes and circumstances change” (Tarvin, 2011).

Caren and Jacob begin spending more time together and have feelings of contentment when they are able to share time together. When talking with friends or discussing outings they both include the other. “One of the developments in continuing relationship is that of mutuality, which leads a couple to regard themselves as “we”, not just two “is” who happen to be in the same place at the same time” (Rathus, Nevid and Fichner-Rathus, 2014). Deterioration happens when the relationship begins to feel less rewarding to both parties involved. Because Caren and Jacob’s relationship is so fresh and they are at the beginning stages of knowing one another they haven’t reached this point yet.

The final stage of a romantic relationship is the ending stage where both parties are no longer able to find anything worth keeping them together. The story above does not show either partner currently reaching that point. However, I feel that if they were to get to that point it is possible that it would begin with an argument or disagreement. Reference Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus. (2014). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Person Education, Inc. Tarvin, A. (2011). 5 Stages of Relationships. Retrieved September 29, 2017, from CSI EFFECT ACTIVITY VIDEO QUESTIONS Questions Answers 1. Discuss how science plays a crucial role in many courtrooms? 2. How has television impacted the field of forensic science? 3. Explain the process behind the scientific method and how it has the potential to lead to a "feedback loop". 4. Explain the purpose of a trial and the roles of those in the courtroom (including the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and scientists). 5. When collecting samples, discuss the importance of identifying a control. 6. Explain why it was helpful for scientists to compare substrate samples in the arson case discussed in the video. 7. Discuss the reliability of the analytical sciences in the courtroom. 8. Discuss the influence of bias in forensic science and provide an example from the video. REFLECTION QUESTIONS Questions Answers 1. Do you think you suffer from the “CSI effect” why or why not? 2. What problems do you think this “effect” has on the criminal justice system?

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The provided case study offers an insightful examination of the evolving stages of romantic relationships, exemplified through the narrative of Caren and Jacob. Their story illustrates elements from attraction to deepening intimacy, as well as potential future challenges that may lead to deterioration or dissolution. In addition, the case study references foundational psychological theories and models, notably those described by Rathus, Nevid, and Fichner-Rathus (2014), regarding the stages of romantic relationships: attraction, building, continuation, deterioration, and ending. This framework provides a lens through which to understand the natural progression of romantic involvement, highlighting how initial attraction develops into intimacy and mutuality, and how subsequent conflicts or disengagement can threaten relationship stability.

Attraction marks the first stage, characterized by visual and psychological cues that draw individuals together. As Caren notices Jacob across the bar, her initial attraction is rooted in physical appearance and perhaps a sense of shared interests—such as both being Falcons fans. This recognition and the mutual interest spark the building phase, during which couples learn about each other’s preferences, values, and personalities. The narrative illustrates this through Caren and Jacob’s formation of shared routines, such as attending dinner dates and engaging in conversations about childhood experiences. During this stage, increasing familiarity fosters emotional bonding, which is critical for relationship development. Rathus et al. (2014) describe this period as one where partners become more comfortable sharing personal details, leading toward mutuality—a feeling of “we” rather than “I” and “you,” reinforcing their sense of partnership and joint identity.

The continuation phase signifies the stabilization and reinforcement of the relationship pattern established earlier. Here, Caren and Jacob experience contentment and fulfillment from their shared activities, further strengthening their bond. They begin to incorporate each other into their social lives and discuss future plans, exemplifying the deepening of their mutual commitment. According to Tarvin (2011), this stage involves the establishment of stable interaction patterns that mature over time, with couples perceiving themselves as a cohesive unit. They share not only activities but also emotional dependencies, which is evident in how they think about each other even when apart. These dynamics contribute to their perception of a relationship characterized by mutual regard and ongoing interaction.

However, as relationships progress, the potential for deterioration arises when the interaction begins to feel less rewarding, or conflicts emerge. The case study indicates that since Caren and Jacob are still at an early stage, they have not yet experienced this decline. When deterioration occurs, couples may experience dissatisfaction, reduced intimacy, or increased conflicts, which threaten the stability of the bond. If unresolved, such issues can lead to the final stage—the ending—characterized by relationship breakup or disengagement. While Caren and Jacob have yet to reach this critical point, awareness of this stage underscores the importance of addressing conflicts proactively within romantic partnerships.

In broader societal contexts, understanding these stages is crucial for couples, counselors, and researchers to foster healthy relationships and intervene effectively when issues emerge. It also emphasizes that relationships are dynamic processes influenced by individual behaviors, communication patterns, and external circumstances. Furthermore, the case study’s inclusion of forensic science and CSI-related questions highlights the importance of scientific methods and objectivity in criminal justice. Although unrelated directly to the romantic relationship discussion, these elements underscore the significance of evidence-based approaches and the potential impacts of bias and misinformation, which can affect legal proceedings and societal perceptions.

In conclusion, the case of Caren and Jacob exemplifies the natural progression through the stages of attraction, building, continuation, and, potentially, deterioration or ending, as outlined in the psychological models by Rathus et al. (2014). Their experience demonstrates how mutual interests, shared routines, and emotional bonds develop over time and are susceptible to challenges that require communication, understanding, and mutual effort to overcome. Analyzing this relationship through a theoretical framework offers valuable insights into the complexities of romantic development and emphasizes the importance of healthy relationship practices to foster enduring partnerships.

References

• Rathus, S., Nevid, J. S., & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2014). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
• Tarvin, A. (2011). 5 Stages of Relationships. Retrieved from CSI Effect Activity Video Questions.
• Feeney, J. A. (2010). Close Relationships. W. W. Norton & Company.
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