Relationships Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the 3 characteristics of close relationships?
Interaction
- frequent interaction over extended periods
Activities
- many different activities and events
Influence
- strong interpersonal influence
What is the interdependence theory?
How each person’s outcomes depend on the actions of others
Rewards:
Anything a person gains
- love, money, status, info, goods, services
Costs:
Anything a person loses
- time, energy, loss of rewards
What is Equity in the interdependence theory?
People in relationships try to maximise their outcomes
Rules and norms evolve about how to divide rewards fairly
When inequity is perceived, distress is felt, and steps are taken to restore equity
What are the effects of inequity in relationships?
Decreases relationship satisfaction, especially early in a relationship
Effects on relationships satisfaction are stronger for people who have a high concern with fairness in relationships
What were Thibaut + Kelley’s inputs for the interdependence theory?
Correspondent outcomes
- exist when both partners value the same things
Social norms
- arise when partners need to develop rules for trade offs
Social roles
- rules for who does which activity
Comparison level
- what we deserve
Comparison level of alternatives
- what we could have with someone else
What was Hatfield’s inputs for interdependence theory?
Relationship inequity creates distress
People attempt to restore equity through their behaviours or their thoughts about the relationship
What are relationship-enhancing attributions?
Positive event
- internal, stable, global
- he is a sweet, thoughtful person
Negative event
- external, unstable, specific
- something must have happened today
What are distress-maintaining attributions?
Positive event
- external, unstable, specific
- he took me out in order to assuage his guilty conscience
Negative event
- internal, stable, global
- he is always thoughtless, my feelings never matter
What are attributions and satisfaction in attribution theory?
Happy couples make more relationship-enhancing attributions
Distress-maintaining attributions may decrease satisfaction over time
What are factors that prevent lashback?
Perspective-taking and forgiveness
Commitment
What is the investment model?
Rewards + costs + comparison
levels
lead to
Satisfaction
plus
Alternatives + investments
lead to
Commitment
then
Stay or leave
Explain investment model
Rewards and costs explain about 46% of variance in satisfaction
Satisfaction, alternatives, investments explain about 61% of variance in commitment
Replicated in same-sex relationships
What are 2 types of relationships according to Clark + Mills in interdependence theory?
Exchange relationship
- people give benefits with the expectation of receiving specific benefits in return
Communal relationship
- people provide benefits to one another on the basis of needs
- no specific repayments expected
Dissatisfaction may lead to…?
Attributions
Reciprocation
Voice, Loyalty, Neglect, Exit
