The influence of globalization and technological development on intimate relationships

Abstract

In the twenty-first century, globalization is one of the most influential forces in the psychological development of people - and one of the most widely discussed (Arnett, 2002). Indeed, it has been argued that "in recent years, globalization has become one of the most widely used terms to describe the current state of the world" (Arnett, 2002, p. 774, italics original). Trade, immigration, and the exchange of information have led to cultural exchanges, while advances in telecommunications and economic interdependence have enabled a wide variety of connections among people from different nations (Arnett, 2002). In this chapter, we focus on particular features of globalization that we believe illustrate key relational aspects of this phenomenon. We begin by considering the formation of relationships, in particular via the internet, and relate this to the development of relationships across cultures. We contend that, as a result of the internet and other means of global communication, it is no longer unusual to form contacts with foreign individuals and to gain greater exposure to other cultures (Kim, 2008), although the novel forms of interactions that have sometimes emerged have potentially complex ramifications on the close relationships of those involved. We then examine the development and maintenance of broader social networks, once again considering technological advances in social media sites (such as Facebook) as well as the emergence of new networks that accompany the societal movements often associated with globilization. We next consider a characteristic frequently associated with globilization: the emergence of global threats such as terrorism and pandemics, and some of their implications for relationship maintenance and quality. Finally, we conclude by probing the concept of globalization a little deeper, arguing that, despite the undeniable technological and environmental changes evident in many countries in recent decades, there are still continuities, resistances, and ‘re-claiming’ of some traditional behavioral patterns that challenge simple caricatures of the impact of globilization on close relationships.