Interdependence Flashcards
What is the basic formula for outcomes in interdependence theory
Outcomes = rewards - costs
Why do different outcomes result in different levels of satisfaction according to interdependence theory
- Because satisfaction depends not only on our outcome but also on our comparison level
- We are only satisfied if our outcome exceeds our comparison level
Satisfaction = outcomes - CL
According to interdependence theory, why would someone with low relationship satisfaction stay in a relationship
If someone has low satisfaction but still perceives their relationship as being better than alternative options
Different relationship scenarios that arise from different combinations of meeting / not meeting approach and avoidance goals?
Flourishing – when you meet both approach and avoidance goals;
Boring – avoidance goals are met, but not approach goals;
Precarious – approach goals are met, but not avoidance goals;
Distressed – neither approach nor avoidance goals are met
In the study by Lydon et al. participants with low, moderate, and high levels of commitment to their partners made a fake dating profile.
Participants were shown a very attractive dating profile and told that this person either (a) may or may not be interested in them (i.e., moderate threat) or (b) was definitely interested in them (high threat).
In the moderate threat condition:
-low committed people: don’t devaluate, they’re down no matter what
-moderately committed people: devaluate the profile DEFENSE MECHANISM
-highly committed people: don’t devaluate because not being disloyal bc not reciprocal thing,
In the high threat condition:
-low and moderately committed people: don’t devaluate bc they’re down that the person likes them
-highly committed people: devaluate bc don’t want to be disloyal DEFENSE MECHANISM
Interpersonal gap
Gap between how a sender encodes their message (encode = how people express their intentions) and how a receive decodes the message (decode = how receivers interpret sender’s message)
Illusion of transparency
Overestimate extent to which our internal states are accessible to others
Augmenting principle
Expect that target will take into account the inhibitory forces acting on our behaviour
Signal amplification bias
Overestimate how much interest our (often very tentative) signals convey
False consensus
Overestimate extent to which others share our attitudes & feelings
What could be responsible for the interpersonal gap
- False consensus
- Illusion of transparency
- Augmenting principle
- Pluralistic ignorance
- Signal amplification bias
After an amazing first date, Joe waits for Jill’s text because he doesn’t want to look desperate, and when he sees Jill not texting back either he thinks she’s just playing it cool. Which bias is occuring here.
Pluralistic ignorance
Exchange relationships vs communal relationships
Exchange relationships: governed by explicit norms of even exchange
-keeping track of each other’s contributions
-more confortanble repaying others right away
Communal relationships: governed by genuine concern for welfare of the other
-avoid strict cost accounting
-do favours & make sacrifices without explicit repayment
What influences the commitment level of someone in a relationship
Satisfaction
Quality of Alternatives
Investment size
Relational turbulence model
period of turmoils & dips in satisfaction as partners adjust to new interdepende
