Theories of romantic relationships

Question 1

The Social Exchange Theory

Answer 1

Reward vs cost which leads to a profit level

Rewards- Gifts, quality time, happiness and wellbeing
Costs- Time, money and sacrifices

Question 2

Thibult + Kelley (1959)

Answer 2

Predicted behaviour in relationships reflects the economic assumptions of exchange
Want to maximise profits whilst also minimising losses
One person may consider a reward less significant to another level

Question 3

Blau (1964)

Answer 3

Relationships can be expensive
Opportunity cost- Investment of time and energy where resources aren’t being used elsewhere EG: Going out with your partner instead of your friends

Question 4

Comparison level (CL)

Answer 4

The amount an individual believes they should get
Forms from previous relationships (EXPECTATIONS)
Involves being selfish EG: What am I getting?

Those with low self esteem= low CL= satisfied with gaining small profits or losses
High self esteem= feel they deserve more

Question 5

Comparison levels for alternatives (CLat)

Answer 5

Looking at alternatives (other relationships they could be in)
Is there a greater reward?
Only stay in current relationship if its more rewarding
=Explains cheating

Question 6

Duck (1994)

Answer 6

If people are current in their relationship they may notice alternatives = if the costs of current relationships outweigh the rewards, alternatives become more appealing

Question 7

STAGES OF ROMANTIC DEVELOPMENT

Answer 7

1. Sampling
2. Bargaining
3. Commitment
4. Institutionalisation

Question 8

1. Sampling

Answer 8

Costs and rewards of a relationship are investigated with another

Question 9

2. Bargaining

Answer 9

Negotiating between two parties where rewards and costs are agreed

Question 10

3. Commitment

Answer 10

The exchange of rewards are stabilised, focus on the relationship

Question 11

Hatfield (1979)

Answer 11

Questioned newlyweds about their contentment in their relationships
HAPPIEST COUPLES= Marriage was equal

Question 12

Limitations of the social exchange theory

Answer 12

Doesn’t explain how perceptions of rewards and costs may change over time
Makes inappropriate assumptions about relationships
No couples keep a tally of rewards and costs
Artificial research
Correlational; doesn’t establish cause and effect

MILLER: Dissatisfaction comes first
ARGYLE: Individuals do not evaluate alternatives of measure rewards and costs

Question 13

The Investment Model

Answer 13

(RUSBULT 1983)
People’s commitment to a relationship depended on their satisfaction
But also on how much they invested in the relationship that would be lost by ending it

Question 14

Rusbult (1983)

Answer 14

Ps read hypothetical relationships varying in:
1. Satisfaction level
2. Alternatives
3. Investment
+ ps were asked how satisfied they thought each individual was in that relationship

FINDINGS:
Commitment is key long term
Shows why abusive relationships last longer due to commitment
High satisfaction = high commitment
Low alternatives = high commitment
High investments = high commitment

Question 15

Satisfaction

Answer 15

Rewards and needs met
Based on CL= rewards and costs are weighed to measure how profitable the relationship is

Question 16

What is meant by investment?

Answer 16

The resources associated with a romantic relationship which the partner would lose if the relationship ended
There are two types of investment

Question 17

What are the two types of investment?

Answer 17

1. Intrinsic investment
2. Extrinsic investment

Question 18

1. Intrinsic investment

Answer 18

Resources put directly into the relationship
EG: Money, personal info etc…

Question 19

2. Extrinsic investment

Answer 19

Possessions received together whilst in the relationship
EG: Shared pet, children (etc…)

Question 20

Rusbult (2011)

Answer 20

Commitment is the main psychological factor when maintaining a relationship
Explains why dissatisfied people stay in relationships because they don’t want to waste the investment they put in to sustain and repair their relationship

Question 21

Lee + Agnew (2003)

Answer 21

Meta-analysis FROM 1970-1999
11,000 ps from 5 countries
Measured levels of satisfaction, CLat, and investment (Predicted levels of commitment)
Those with high levels of commitment = most successful (True for m+f, homosexual and heterosexual relationships)

Question 22

Equity Theory

Answer 22

WALSTER (1979)
‘Fairness’ and ‘equity’ in relationships
Doesn’t matter about the quantity but the quality of rewards
Quality of rewards is perceived differently
Have to find a compromise

Question 23

Clark + Mills (2011)

Answer 23

Need to distinguish between different types of relationships
EG: Friendship, work friendship, acquaintances

Question 24

What is meant by ‘inequity’?

Answer 24

Costs became the norm as the couple are more used to receiving costs rather than rewards
The more unfair= harder it is to store equity

Question 25

Utne (1984)

Answer 25

Survey of 118 recently married couples Equity was measured using 2 self-report scales ps between 16-45 Those who believed their relationship was equitable were more satisfied than those under or over benefited

Question 26

Dainton +Goss (2003)

Answer 26

When one individual feels the relationship is inequitable, more engagement in negative behaviours EG: Cheating, avoidance

Question 27

Berg + McQuinn (1986)

Answer 27

Discovered high levels of self-disclosure and perceived equity in the beginning of relationships were a strong predictor that a couple would be more long-term

Question 28

Reasons for relationship breakdown

Answer 28

BUCK (1992) 4 stages and another added in 2006 Breaking up isn't a one-off event but a process over 4 stages Each stage is a threshold indicator

Question 29

BUCK'S 5 STAGES

Answer 29

1. Intra psychic phase 2. Dyadic phase 3. Social stage 4. Grave-dressing stage 5. Resurrection stage

Question 30

Stage 1: Intra psychic phase

Answer 30

"I can't take this anymore" Cognitive processing occurs in an individual Focus on reasons for dissatisfaction PRIVATELY consult thoughts Plan for future undecided

Question 31

Stage 2: Dyadic phase

Answer 31

"Would it make sense to stay together or leave" Come to a conclusion: Break up or repair relationship Dissatisfaction is brought out

Question 32

Stage 3: Social stage

Answer 32

Fully deciding what to do Wider processing surrounding the couple's social network Break up is public: See allies Mutual friends pick sides Some provide reassurance and some are judgemental and blame the other party Some reveal secrets to end the relationship Tends to be the point of return

Question 33

Stage 4: Grave-dressing stage

Answer 33

"Its time to move on" Attributional bias; perception of the break up depends on which party you hear the break up from Each partner tries to retain social credit Positives are all negative

Question 34

Stage 5: Resurrection stage

Answer 34

Added by Rollie and Duck (2006)

Question 35

Stage 5: Resurrection stage

Answer 35

Added by Rollie and Duck (2006) "Things will be different next time" Learn from the experience and use it for future relationships Partner acknowledges what's wrong Moving on and accepting (Gaining closure)