Sharing such social connections makes couples feel closer and more satisfied with their relationships
Many of us may know the pleasures of binging Netflix comedies with a romantic partner or cuddling up to watch Game of Thrones every Sunday night. If you’ve ever been in a long-distance relationship, you and your sweetie may have even synced up a movie to watch “together” while chatting on the phone. Recent research suggests that watching TV shows and movies with a significant other is more than a fun and relaxing way to pass the time – it may have important benefits for your relationship. In a line of studies published in The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, my colleagues and I explored why many couples seem to spend so much time watching TV shows and movies together.
Romantic partners quickly begin sharing important parts of their lives and intimate aspects of their selves with one another, a process known as expanding the self.