The Paradox of Stability and Change in Relationships

What Does Chaos Theory Offer for the Study of Romantic Relationships

Bibliographic Data

ID2934010
AuthorsDan Weigel (University of Nevada, Reno, corresponding author), Colleen I Murray (University of Nevada, Reno), Colleen Murray (University of Nevada, Reno)
Year2000
Volume17
Issue3
Pages425-449
Publication date2000-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407500173006
OpenAlexW2149831089
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited38

This article explores the potential relevance of chaos theory in understanding development and change in romantic relationships. Chaos theory implies that relationship development may not be linear, that relationships may quickly and spontaneously shift to different states and relational patterns, and that predicting their future state may be problematic. Furthermore, chaos theory generates several methodological and statistical issues for relationship studies. The application of chaos theory may increase the understanding of relation- ships as it stimulates a renewed emphasis on relationships as process, a moving from concern with predictability to emerging patterns, seeing variability as normal, and the recognition of the need for multiple perspectives and methods in studying relational development

Chaos theory · Cognitive psychology · Data mining · Development theory · Epistemology · Political science · Predictability · Psychoanalysis · Relation (database · Relevance (law · Romance · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Cognitive and psychological constructs research · Computer Science · Customer Service Quality and Loyalty · Mathematics · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence