When the Twilight series came out a few years ago, the love story of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan became famous. The series was broken into four books along with the movies, which entailed the different views of their relation ship. In the text pages 443-447, Lilienfeld describes the three principles that guide relationship formation, which are proximity, similarity, and reciprocity. These three variables can easily be seen through the Twilight love story of Edward and Bella.
To start with proximity, Bella is the new girl in the small town of Forks, Washington. She moved in with her dad, who is one of the policemen of the town, from her mom, who lived in Arizona. Bella and Edward started to attend the same high school because of this move, which gave them closer proximity to each other. The two soon become attracted to each other because Edward is interested in how she is the only person whose mind he can't read. After they start dating and the series is coming to a close, similarity comes into play. Edward ends up turning Bella into a vampire. This drastic change gives the two a commitment to each other that will last a lifetime in their situation. The last principle is reciprocity. You can see this in their relationship when Bella picks Edward over her friendship with Jacob. Since Jacob and Edward aren't on the best of terms over the four series it is a big deal that Bella picks Edward's side on many issues, ultimately making their relationship stronger. I think these principles of relationship formation are extremely true. When I think of my relationships that I have had with a significant other, I look back at past events that lead me to like that person. Those three variables count in seeing if the relationship will form to be a good one for the future.
I think this was a great topic/movie to pick seeing as I always have loved twilight. But I definitely agree with the whole proximity theory, I know lots of people who have tried to do the whole long distance thing, but after awhile they end up having to break it off because it is too hard to do. They end up falling for someone who lives where they do. Also, I agree with the reciprocity thing, I never would have thought of this in the movie but I see what you mean. In my relationships I know at the end of the day you do need to pick a side and it better be the one of your significant other.