Author: Mary Anne Appleby
Publisher:
Published: 1984
Total Pages: 99
ISBN-13:
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[Abstract] The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to describe qualities of optimal male/female relationships. The question under study was, "How do people perceive and describe their involvement in an optimal male/ female relationship?" The involvement must be an intimate and loving relationship. Optimal was defined as, most desirable or satisfactory, and what was sought was an understanding of these healthy, exceptional involvements. A review of the literature drew relevant information from primarily three areas in psychology: a) Love, b) Sex Roles and c) Humanistic Psychology. This review revealed that there had not been a systematic phenomenological study done on optimal male/female relationships. The research model provided the conceptual framework of the study and included a discussion of scientific paradigms, humanistic research and the phenomenological process. The process of phenomenology seeks to determine the qualities of the experience in the manner in which it is lived. The purpose is to delineate the features common to all individual experiences of the same type. Individuals who are presently involved in optimal male/female relationships were interviewed. Tapes of these interviews and-transcriptions of the tapes suplied the data which was handled through the process of phenomenal analysis. The data revealed twenty-two distinct expressions which were drawn into six clusters or descriptive constituents. They are the following: 1) SELF-AWARENESS - A) A high degree of individual self-awareness and self-acceptance. B) An ability to separate personal issues from the process of the relationship. C) Each person is self-sufficient and independent. D) Each person is versatile, adaptable and in a process of growth. 2) TRANSPARENCY - A) Honesty in self-expression, what is felt matches what is expressed. B) A great amount of communication. C) Feelings are important, expression of the full range of emotions. 3) UNDERSTANDING - A) Existence of tacit and non-verbal communication, intuitive. B) Very supportive, empathic, nurturing and trusting. 4) LOVE - A) Feelings of magic and mystery, profound and ineffable. B) A very special, unique relationship, feeling of "being at home". C) Integration of emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual love. D) Love lived in every day life; freshness, newness, re-creation of love. 5) TRANSCEDENT - A) Transcendence of externals, such as roles, social norms or beliefs. B) Synergistic, transcendence of self. C) Clarity of perception, non-illusory; acceptance -of what is. 6) RELATING - A) High degree of satisfaction found in each other1s presence. B) Feeling of being on the same wave length, resonating, being in harmony. C) Gain strength and energy from the relationship. D) Learn from and stimulate each other's growth; striving to grow. E) Absolute respect for the other; egalitarian, cooperative. F) Relationship is changing, fluid, in motion. The findings of this study could be utilized in the process of psychotherapy to facilitate individual awareness of healthy intimacy and could be used in the educational realm at all levels to promote personal and interpersonal awareness.
