: Researchers developed a questionnaire to identify the specific narratives individuals hold about romance. The study found gender differences in what drives satisfaction: women often valued feeling "special" and emotional support, while men placed higher importance on reciprocity and friendship.
: A more recent study focusing on fantasy novels found that while these books affect expectations, many young readers are surprisingly good at identifying and acknowledging toxic traits in fictional relationships rather than blindly adopting them. Emerging Tools and Frameworks
Both sides of the story: Narratives of romantic infidelity - Wilkinson
Several interesting academic papers explore the intersection of narrative theory and psychology to understand how romantic storylines—both real and fictional—shape our actual relationships. Research on Real-Life Relationship Narratives
