Reimagining Relationships

In this innovative book, leading relationship scholar Steve Duck provides fresh perspectives on the dynamics of everyday relationships. He examines existing research to propose a new framework for understanding relationships by connecting their bases to the roots of social influence and persuasion. In this innovative book, leading relationship scholar Steve Duck provides fresh perspectives on the dynamics of everyday relationships. He examines existing research to propose a new framework for understanding relationships by connecting their bases to the roots of social influence and persuasion. Duck also introduces the concept of acquaintance as a continuous cycle of anticipating possibilities and assessing their accuracy. He highlights the crucial role of social expectations and their subsequent revision in the formation of meaningful relationships. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the book draws on insights from psychology, communication, sociology, clinical practice and literature to explore how these relationships function and evolve. Duck also addresses the limitations of current research and practice, emphasising the impact of change on real-life relationships and its implications for future scholarship and clinical work in relationship inquiry. Reimagining Relationships is an essential resource for scholars and students of psychology, communication studies, sociology and relationship and family studies. It is also valuable for psychology professionals and members of relationship research associations.