This isn't exclusive to couples though, is it? We see this in situations involving co-workers and neighbors, friends and even strangers. There's the point-sour

This isn't exclusive to couples though, is it? We see this in situations involving co-workers and neighbors, friends and even strangers. There's the point-source stimulus and its first order effects we react to but it's mediated by the reactions we observe from those around us participating in the same experience resulting in second-order (and more) effects. Isn't this effectively the psychology of crowds writ small?