Ideals in intimate relationships

This research examined lay relationship and partner ideals in romantic rela tionships from both a social-cognitive and an evolutionary perspective. Stu dies 1 and 2 revealed that the qualities of an ideal partner were represent ed by 3 factors (partner warmth-trustworthiness, vitality-attractiveness, a nd status-resources). whereas the qualities of an ideal relationship were r epresented by 2 factors (relationship intimacy-loyalty and passion). A conf irmatory factor analysis in Study 3 replicated these factor structures but found considerable overlap across the partner and relationship dimensions. Studies 4 and 5 produced convergent and discriminant validity evidence for all 5 factors. Study 6 indicated that the higher the consistency between th e ideals and related assessments of the current partner and relationship, t he more positively the current relationship was evaluated.