Lecture 11 - Relationships Flashcards
(25 cards)
What are three key characteristics of close relationships?
1) Frequent interaction over time
2) Engagement in many different activities
3) Strong interpersonal influence
What does the Interdependence Theory suggest about why we seek relationships?
We seek relationships where the rewards outweigh the costs
According to Foa & Foa (1974), what are considered rewards in relationships?
Love, money, status, information, goods, and services
What are examples of costs in relationships?
- Time
- Energy
- The loss of other potential rewards
What does the concept of equity suggest in relationships?
- People aim to maximise outcomes and follow fairness norms
- Perceived inequity causes distress and motivates people to restore equity
What is the effect of inequity in relationships? (Provide research)
Decreased satisfaction (Sprecher & Schwartz, 1994), especially early in relationships (Van Yperen & Buunk, 1990), with stronger effects in people who value fairness (Sprecher, 1992)
What are “correspondent outcomes”?
When both partners value the same things, enhancing harmony
What are “social norms” and “social roles” in relationships?
- Social norms = shared rules/expectations that guide how partners manage trade-offs (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959)
- Social roles = expectations for who does which activities
What is the comparison level (CL) vs. comparison level of alternatives (CLalt)?
- CL = what we think we deserve
- CLalt = what we coud get elsewhere
What are relationship-enhancing attributions?
- Positive behaviours seen as internal, stable, and global
- Negative behaviours are seen as external, unstable, and specific
How do attributions relate to satisfaction?
- Happy couples use more relationship-enhancing attributions (Holzworth-Munroe & Jacobson, 1985)
- Distress-maintaining attributions lower satisfaction over time (Fincham & Bradbury, 1993)
What are the four responses to dissatisfaction (Rusbult’s typology)?
1) Voice (active, constructive)
2) Loyalty (passive, constructive)
3) Neglect (passive, destructive)
4) Exit (active, destructive)
What can prevent escalation or “lashback” in conflict?
- Perspective-taking and forgiveness (McCullough et al., 1997)
- Commitment (Arriaga & Rusbult, 1998)
- Self-distancing (Ayduk & Kross, 2010)
What is the format of Rusbult’s Investment Model
- Rewards, costs, comparison levels -> shape satisfaction
- Satisfaction, investments, and alternatives -> determine commitment
- Commitment -> predicts whether someone stays or leaves the relationship
How much do satisfaction and related variables explain commitment?
- Rewards/costs explain 46% of satisfaction
- Satisfaction + investments + alternatives explain 61% of commitment
Is the investment model supported across relationship types?
Yes, it has been replicated i same-sex relationships
What is an exchange relationship (Clark & Mills, 1979)?
People give benefits expecting something specific in return
What is a communal relationship?
People provide benefits based on need, without expecting specific repayment
What are the key components of Rusbult’s Investment Model? (describe them)
Commitment in relationships is explained using three main components:
1) Satisfaction = The balance of rewards (e.g., love, support) minus costs (e.g., time, conflict)
2) Investments = Resources put into the relationship (e.g., time, shared memories, mutual friends) that would be lost if it ended)
3) Alternatives = Perceived quality of other possible partners or being alone
When is commitment strongest? (Rusbult’s Investment Model)
When satisfaction and investments ar ehigh, and alternatives are low
Who found that happy couples use relationship-enhancing attributions?
Holzworth-Munroe & Jacobson (1985)
Who found distress-maintaining atttributions reduce satisfaction?
Fincham & Bradbury (1993)
What happens when equity is lacking? (short answer)
Distress; people act to restore fairness
In summary, what four things keep relationships going? (Short answer)
- Interdependence
- Perceived fairness
- Commitment
- Adaptive responses to problems
