From a sociological point of how love and mate selection is viewed is slightly different than from the chapter we read.

In my Sociology (Marriage and Family) Class, one of the main things we focus on is to first define what love is, define the types of love, components of love, how does love change over time, how do we choose our mate, living together, engagement and marriages are some of the questions we try to answer from a social point of view.

For starters, we define love based on our own experience. According to Maslow’s theory love can also be defined as “meeting needs”. Maslow emphasizes on everyone having a basic psychological need for love. If we focus on the Maslow’s hierarchy, if two people are at the bottom level of the security and safety level of the pyramid, their relationship would best be described as the exchange theory. However, if two people are at the top level self-actualization then their love/ relationship is understood to “flourish”.

we also look at interethnic marriages, interfaith marriages, heterosexual, homosexual relationship, as well as studying how each group funchions differently. one of our guest speakers said that dating was a type of game. you ”play” around until you find the one you plan on spending the rest of your life with. He says play because regardless of how serious a relationship may be, we are all in the dating seen playing a certain role or game if you will. 

Everybody have their definition of a first date, but the main function of a first date is to get to know the other person and to see if this is someone you want to invest any more of your time and energy on. if the game was plaid well, each person is hoping for a second date. You basically keep playing these games until you get to a point to decide if this person is either somebody you want to make a life partner or if this is somebody you want to forget about. either way it goes everybody plays the game in the mate selection process.