November 2023 MBR The Psychology Shelf

The Psychology Shelf

The Science of Romantic Relationships
Theresa DiDonato, author
Brett Jakubiak, author
Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org
9781108841603, $150.00, HC, 500pp

https://www.amazon.com/Science-Romantic-Relationships-Theresa-DiDonato/dp/1108841600

Synopsis: Why do people fall in love? Does passion fade with time? What makes for a happy, healthy relationship? "The Science of Romantic Relationships" is an introduction to relationship science and follows the lifecycle of a relationship from attraction and initiation, to the hard work of relationship maintenance, to dissolution and ways to strengthen a relationship.

Designed for advanced undergraduates studying psychology, communication or family studies, "The Science of Romantic Relationships" is textbook presentation for a fresh, diversity-infused approach to relationship science. It includes real-world examples and critical-thinking questions, callout boxes that challenge students to make connections, and researcher interviews that showcase the many career paths of relationship scientists. Article Spotlights reveal cutting-edge methods, while Diversity and Inclusion boxes celebrate the variety found in human love and connection.

Throughout "The Science of Romantic Relationships", students see the application of theory and come to recognize universal themes in relationships as well as the nuances of many findings. Instructors can access lecture slides, an instructor manual, and test banks.

Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, "The Science of Romantic Relationships" by co-authors and academicians Theresa DiDonato and Brett Kakubia is seminal and informative enhanced for psychology students and counselors with the inclusion of a fifteen page Glossary, ninety-four pages of References, and an eighteen page Index. Holding a special relevance and interest for readers studying the medical psychology of sexuality, "The Science of Romantic Relationships" is an ideal textbook selection for college and university library Human Sexuality/Counseling collections and Human Sexuality curriculum studies list. It should be noted for personal and professional reading lists that "The Science of Romantic Relationships" is also available in a paperback edition (9781108794961, $64.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $48.99).

Editorial Note #1: Theresa DiDonato is a professor of psychology at Loyola University Maryland, where she has served as the Director of the Undergraduate Program in Psychology. She serves on the Teaching Committee of the International Association of Relationship Research (IARR) and is a long-time member of SPSP. She has a Psychology Today blog, 'Meet, Catch, and Keep. (https://www.loyola.edu/academics/psychology/faculty/full-time-faculty/didonato)

Editorial Note #2: Brett Jakubiak is an associate professor of psychology at Syracuse University and won the Syracuse University Meredith Early Performance Award for exemplary teaching. Brett also maintains an active program of research focused on the interpersonal support processes that regulate stress, encourage autonomous goal pursuit, and enhance relationship quality across the lifespan. This research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. (https://artsandsciences.syracuse.edu/people/faculty/jakubiak-brett-k)

Self-Inflicted
Dr. Karl T. Muth
Muse Literary
https://museliterary.com
9781958714997, $5.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Inflicted-Confronting-Karl-T-Muth-ebook/dp/B0CBQPVHGQ

Self-Inflicted: Confronting the Suicide Taboo blends philosophical with historical, ethnographic, and linguistic examination as Dr. Karl T. Muth considers and analyzes the decision to end life, making a strong case for empowering the authority to do so under different conditions. Its candid discussion of suicide comes with a trigger warning for those on the edge - especially since it contains rationales and arguments which promotes the idea of purposely ending life without the legal and social restrictions and taboos currently in place. This notion may seem quite controversial to many, but skeptics, especially, should take note of many of the arguments in Self-Inflicted. These are crucial conversations for many levels of society, but they are also quite difficult ones which receive specific guidance here.

Dr. Muth considers how people think about suicide, how that deliberation translates to either action or inaction, and the circumstances under which logic dictates that suicide may be as concrete a choice as life itself. The many thought-provoking contentions of this survey translate to a treasure trove of discussion material that make Self-Inflicted particularly recommendable to university or graduate classrooms and reading groups (albeit, with the trigger warning caution). "Suicide is a choice of route to a destination where we each and all are headed on our own schedules and at our own paces."

Worthy of debate as well as contemplation, suicide's impact, choice, and ethical and moral foundations is argued on medical, psychological, social, and legal levels in a manner accessible to a wide audience. Libraries and educators seeking material which tackles a highly controversial idea with logic and reasoned assessment will find unparalleled opportunities for conversations and reflection in Self-Inflicted: Confronting the Suicide Taboo, making it a unique and worthy addition for a wide range of collections or syllabi.

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