relationships Flashcards
(7 cards)
what are the 4 different types of theories of romantic relationship
Social exchange theory
equity theory
Rusbult’s investment model
Duck’s phase model
theories of romantic relationship: Social exchange theory
Social Exchange Theory (SET) is an economic model of human relationships, proposed by Thibaut and Kelley (1959). It suggests that romantic relationships are maintained through a cost-benefit analysis — partners aim to maximise rewards and minimise costs.
Attraction and satisfaction are based on the perceived balance of positive and negative elements within the relationship.
🔹 Key Concepts of SET:
1. Rewards and Costs:
Rewards can include: companionship, emotional support, sex, love, shared experiences.
Costs may include: time, stress, arguments, financial expense.
What counts as a reward or cost can be subjective and change over time.
- Comparison Level (CL):
This is the standard we compare our relationship to.
Based on past experiences and social norms.
A relationship is seen as satisfying if it exceeds the comparison level.
- Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt):
This is how the current relationship compares to potential alternatives (another partner, being single).
If alternatives seem more rewarding, we may leave the relationship.
- Stages of Relationship Development (Thibaut & Kelley):
Sampling – We explore rewards and costs in various relationships.
Bargaining – Partners begin to “negotiate” and test what is most rewarding.
Commitment – Costs and rewards are more predictable, and the relationship becomes more stable.
Institutionalisation – Norms and expectations are established; the relationship is maintained through shared understanding.
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theories of romantic relationship: Equity theory
Equity Theory, developed by Walster et al. (1978), is an economic theory of relationships based on the concept of fairness. It builds on Social Exchange Theory (SET) but focuses more on the perception of fairness and balance in a relationship than simply comparing rewards and costs.
🔹 Key Assumptions of Equity Theory:
People are most satisfied in romantic relationships where the rewards and costs are perceived to be fair and balanced.
Equity ≠ equality — it doesn’t mean both partners must give or receive the same, but that the ratio of inputs to outputs must be the same for both.
Inputs: effort, time, loyalty, emotional support.
Outputs: love, attention, affection, financial support.
Perceived inequity causes distress and dissatisfaction — the more unequal the relationship feels, the harder people try to restore equity.
🔹 Underbenefitting and Overbenefitting:
Underbenefitting partner: feels angry, resentful, or taken for granted.
Overbenefitting partner: may feel guilt, shame, or discomfort.
Both situations lead to relationship dissatisfaction if not resolved.
🔹 Equity and Relationship Satisfaction:
Equity is particularly important in long-term romantic relationships.
Partners will work to restore equity by either:
Changing what they put in or get out of the relationship.
Re-evaluating the relationship cognitively (e.g., convincing themselves it’s fair).
theories of romantic relationship: Rusbult’s investment model
Rusbult’s Investment Model (1980, 1983) is a theory that explains commitment in romantic relationships. It suggests that people stay in relationships not only because of satisfaction but also because of how much they have invested and their perception of alternatives.
💡 Key Components
Satisfaction Level
Based on comparison of rewards (e.g. love, intimacy) and costs (e.g. arguments, effort).
High satisfaction when rewards outweigh costs.
Linked to comparison level from Social Exchange Theory.
Quality of Alternatives
Refers to whether someone believes they would be better off in another relationship or alone.
If alternatives are better, commitment decreases.
Investment Size
Refers to the resources associated with the relationship that would be lost if it ended.
Two types:
Intrinsic investments: directly put in (e.g. time, effort, emotions, shared experiences).
Extrinsic investments: created together (e.g. shared possessions, mutual friends, children).
🔒 Commitment
- Commitment is the central factor that maintains relationships.
- Commitment is high when:
- Satisfaction is high.
- Quality of alternatives is low.
- Investment is high.
- Explains why people may stay in unsatisfying or even abusive relationships.
theories of romantic relationship: Ducks phase model
Duck’s Phase Model (1982, revised in 2006) describes the process of relationship breakdown as going through a series of stages, rather than being a single event. The focus is on how relationships end and how partners deal with the breakup.
Duck proposed four main phases (with a later addition of a fifth phase):
📌 1. Intra-psychic Phase
One partner becomes dissatisfied with the relationship. They focus on their partner’s faults and internal feelings of resentment. This phase is private, involving rumination, not confrontation. May involve weighing up the pros and cons (linked to social exchange theory).
📌 2. Dyadic Phase
The dissatisfaction is voiced to the partner. Conflict arises, possibly leading to arguments or discussions about the future. May involve attempts to repair the relationship. If not resolved, the couple moves to the next stage.
📌 3. Social Phase
The breakup becomes public — friends and family become involved. People take sides, offer advice, or influence the decision to stay or go. Social networks may be damaged or restructured.
📌 4. Grave-Dressing Phase
Focus is on justifying the breakup. Each partner creates a version of the story that protects their self-image and maintains self-esteem. May involve blaming the other person or rewriting the history of the relationship.
📌 5. (Added later) Resurrection Phase
Individuals prepare for future relationships. They reflect on what they’ve learned and adjust their behaviour or expectations. Shows personal growth and learning from the experience.
virtual relationships in social media
Virtual relationships refer to interpersonal relationships that are initiated and maintained through social media or online platforms, rather than face-to-face (FtF) communication. Theories explain how communication and self-disclosure work differently in online contexts.
📌 1. Self-Disclosure in Virtual Relationships
Self-disclosure is the process of revealing personal information to others. It works differently online due to the nature of computer-mediated communication (CMC).
💬 Two contrasting theories:
✅ Reduced Cues Theory (Sproull & Kiesler, 1986)
Online interactions lack many non-verbal cues (e.g., facial expressions, tone of voice, body language).
This makes communication more impersonal. Leads to deindividuation, disinhibition, and possibly more aggressive or blunt interactions.
As a result, relationships formed online may be weaker or less intimate.
✅ Hyperpersonal Model (Walther, 1996)
Suggests online relationships can be more personal and intimate than FtF ones.
Self-disclosure happens faster and more intensely due to anonymity and lack of physical presence.
Easier to control self-presentation, leading to idealised versions of the self.
Can create boom and bust relationships: they start quickly and intensely but often fail due to unrealistic expectations.
📌 2. Absence of Gating (McKenna & Bargh, 1999)
In FtF relationships, people may be “gated” by physical or social obstacles (e.g., appearance, shyness, disability).
Online relationships remove these gates.
People can present their “true selves” more easily.
This can lead to stronger connections for those who struggle socially in offline environments.
parasocial relationship
A parasocial relationship is a one-sided, unreciprocated relationship, typically formed with a celebrity or media figure. The “fan” expends emotional energy, commitment, and time, while the celebrity is unaware of the fan’s existence.
📚 Theoretical Explanations for Parasocial Relationships
✅ 1. Levels of Parasocial Relationships (McCutcheon et al., 2002)
McCutcheon proposed three levels of parasocial relationships, forming a continuum from healthy admiration to unhealthy obsession:
Entertainment-Social
Celebrities are seen as a source of entertainment or fuel for social interaction (e.g., gossiping about them with friends).
Most common and least intense level.
Intense-Personal
Stronger personal involvement with the celebrity.
Fans may see them as soulmates or become obsessed with their personal lives.
Borderline Pathological
Involves uncontrollable behaviours and fantasies.
May include stalking, spending money compulsively, or believing the celebrity reciprocates their feelings.
✅ 2. Attachment Theory Explanation
This explanation applies Bowlby’s theory of attachment to PSRs.
People with insecure attachments (especially insecure-resistant) are more likely to form PSRs.
These individuals seek relationships with no risk of rejection, which parasocial figures provide.
Insecure-avoidant types tend to avoid real-life intimacy altogether — they are less likely to form PSRs.
The PSR serves as a safe emotional outlet without the anxiety of real intimacy.
✅ 3. Absorption-Addiction Model (McCutcheon et al., 2002)
This model explains why some individuals form parasocial relationships.
Some people are especially absorbed in celebrities’ lives to compensate for personal deficiencies (e.g., low self-esteem, lack of meaningful relationships).
This can develop into an addiction, where the individual feels compelled to know more and maintain the “relationship” at increasing levels of intensity.
Absorption: Becoming preoccupied with a celebrity to gain fulfillment.
Addiction: The need to sustain the relationship leads to more extreme behaviour (e.g., delusions of a real connection).
