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Health & Society

What We Do for Love: A Professor’s Insights on Valentine’s Day Expectations

Monday, February 12, 2018, By Kathleen Haley
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College of Arts and Sciencesfacultypsychologyresearch

Do you love the idea of a perfect Valentine’s Day with chocolates, roses and that special dinner? But your partner not so much?

Laura VanderDrift Portrait

Laura VanderDrift

Couples at odds over the most romantic of days might want to find the give and take in their expectations, according to Laura VanderDrift, assistant professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

VanderDrift researches the personal dynamics of close relationships and what factors can help predict relationship outcomes, most notably behaviors that can break apart a relationship and outcomes regarding a person’s health.

She shares some thoughts to keep in mind for maintaining harmony.

  • 01
    What is a key component of being in a healthy relationship, and how might it be especially important on Valentine’s Day?

    Relationships, even the strongest and most resilient, are a balancing act, forcing us to balance our own needs with those of our partner. On Valentine’s Day especially, when romance is in the air and societal expectations are strong, the need to get on the same page is vital.

  • 02
    What have you seen in your research?

    Research I’ve done with colleagues shows that the best way to obtain optimal long-term outcomes from your relationship is to view your partner as a friend, and value the friendship the two of you share above all other parts of the relationship. The reasoning is simple: when someone is your friend, you value their outcomes on par with or above your own.

    red roses with hearts on a wooden table

    Your partner wants the high-fructose version of Valentine’s, when you’d prefer a more naturally sweetened kind? Remembering that this isn’t a competition, and that you want your friend to be happy can help. The sacrifices we make feel less major when we know they benefit a close friend.

  • 03
    What is important to think about if a person really doesn’t want to celebrate the holiday?

    If you’re still not convinced that Valentine’s is the right day (or flowers and candy are the right way) to show you care, perhaps it will help to think through the consequences of going along with your partner’s desires.

    Our research shows that people who deviate from their own preferences for the benefit of the relationship both cause their partner to feel good (Hey, they got what they wanted after all!), but also prove they can be relied upon for the fulfillment of important needs in the future. Showing your partner that you care about their happiness and are willing to deviate from your own interests to obtain it can strengthen your relationship.

  • 04
    Will celebrating Valentine’s Day make a relationship better?

    Not necessarily. But if you consider how to make your partner happy, and show them that you’re willing to do what it takes, it just might.

    About Syracuse University

    Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is a private international research university dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching excellence, rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11 academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence in the liberal arts, sciences and professional disciplines that prepares students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main campus and extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an institution of its kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Syracuse also has a long legacy of supporting veterans and is home to the nationally recognized Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their families.

  • Author

Kathleen Haley

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