According to attachment theory, humans have a biological need for a "secure base." When we watch a couple decide to be exclusive, we are watching the creation of a safe harbor. It is narrative validation that someone can choose you out of all the 8 billion people on the planet.
A moment of jealousy or a "Defining the Relationship" (DTR) conversation sparked by an outside event (like one person getting an offer to go on another date).
In the realm of video games and interactive visual novels, exclusive relationships take on a different dimension. Here, the concept of "romantic storylines" is gamified.
However, this dominant narrative model is not without its critiques. By glorifying exclusivity as the sole path to “true love,” popular storylines often stigmatize other forms of connection and create unrealistic expectations. The “jealousy as passion” trope, common in stories where a character fights a rival for their beloved, can romanticize possessiveness. Furthermore, the insistence on a single, final choice ignores the reality that healthy relationships can be fluid, non-exclusive, or evolve over time. Recent media, such as the television series The Good Place (which explores soulmates in a non-traditional, ethical context) or films like Professor Marston and the Wonder Women , have begun to challenge this monopoly, suggesting that commitment and love are not synonyms for exclusivity.
