Many studies have been conducted to test the hypothesis that absence makes the heart grow fonder. This proverb can be applied to a variety of relationships, such as between coworkers, classmates, teachers and their students, parents and their children, immediate family members, and other interpersonal relationships. Absence makes the heart grow fonder suggests that when you are distant from someone or something that you have a relationship with, you begin to strengthen your emotions toward it; longing for its presence. In an attempt to test this hypothesis, many studies specifically investigate the effects of long distance in romantic relationships; whether it causes satisfaction or dissatisfaction between the partners involved. As a result,
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One theory that can predict whether absence causes a positive or negative effect on relationships is the attachment theory. The attachment refers to the strength of the emotional bond between partners and the felt security within the relationships. Security, in romantic relationships, is considered to be the proximity of their partner, at which their partner is able to provide the comfort needed in times of distress (Pistole, et al., 2010, p. 536). However, when a partner is inaccessible during a time of need, absence becomes a threat to the relationship causes high levels of anxiety, a strong sense of loneliness, and a longing desire for physical proximity which can reinstate security. Therefore, one important aspect to consider as a result of security and the emotions that partners may experience during the absence of their loved ones is their attachment style. Bowlby’s internal working model of attachment is a theory that suggests that an individual’s attachment style is a reflection of themselves and their partner. If someone is securely attached, they are more likely to have a positive outlook on themselves and their partner, will possess positive relationship qualities and will seek strategies to effectively reach their partner. On the other hand, if …show more content…
These relationships are even more common amongst college students who seem to be able to cope with them more effectively than other groups in society. Knox, Zusman, Daniels & Brantley (2002) tested the hypothesis that absence makes the heart grow fonder by gathering 438, never-married undergraduates and asking them complete a questionnaire based on their current or past experience with long distance romantic relationships. The questionnaire also regarded their belief about the cliché, “out of mind, out of sight”. In the study, the operation definition of long distance was being separated from a romantic partner at least by 200 miles for a period no less than 3 months. Results of this study showed that absence was damaging to most relationships and that one in five students reports that the separation either ended their relationship or made it worse, which rejects their hypothesis (Knox et al. 2002, p. 365). Also along with these findings, the study suggested that participants who had been involved in an unsuccessful, long distance relationship accepted the cliché “out of mind, out of sight”. Another factor that may determine the fate of long distance relationships is performing a cost-benefit analysis of their partner and the quality of their relationship. The cost-benefit analysis is a concept of the social exchange which proposes that the relationships we choose to maintain
One theory that can predict whether absence causes a positive or negative effect on relationships is the attachment theory. The attachment refers to the strength of the emotional bond between partners and the felt security within the relationships. Security, in romantic relationships, is considered to be the proximity of their partner, at which their partner is able to provide the comfort needed in times of distress (Pistole, et al., 2010, p. 536). However, when a partner is inaccessible during a time of need, absence becomes a threat to the relationship causes high levels of anxiety, a strong sense of loneliness, and a longing desire for physical proximity which can reinstate security. Therefore, one important aspect to consider as a result of security and the emotions that partners may experience during the absence of their loved ones is their attachment style. Bowlby’s internal working model of attachment is a theory that suggests that an individual’s attachment style is a reflection of themselves and their partner. If someone is securely attached, they are more likely to have a positive outlook on themselves and their partner, will possess positive relationship qualities and will seek strategies to effectively reach their partner. On the other hand, if …show more content…
These relationships are even more common amongst college students who seem to be able to cope with them more effectively than other groups in society. Knox, Zusman, Daniels & Brantley (2002) tested the hypothesis that absence makes the heart grow fonder by gathering 438, never-married undergraduates and asking them complete a questionnaire based on their current or past experience with long distance romantic relationships. The questionnaire also regarded their belief about the cliché, “out of mind, out of sight”. In the study, the operation definition of long distance was being separated from a romantic partner at least by 200 miles for a period no less than 3 months. Results of this study showed that absence was damaging to most relationships and that one in five students reports that the separation either ended their relationship or made it worse, which rejects their hypothesis (Knox et al. 2002, p. 365). Also along with these findings, the study suggested that participants who had been involved in an unsuccessful, long distance relationship accepted the cliché “out of mind, out of sight”. Another factor that may determine the fate of long distance relationships is performing a cost-benefit analysis of their partner and the quality of their relationship. The cost-benefit analysis is a concept of the social exchange which proposes that the relationships we choose to maintain