Theories of Romantic Relationships Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is Social Exchange theory?
- Social exchange theory (Thibaut and Kelley, 1959) suggests that people try to maximise rewards, e.g. attention, self-esteem, happiness, from a relationship and minimise costs, e.g. time, effort, emotional support,
- If the relationship is to continue, then the rewards must not be outweighed by the costs - we should end up in profit. So, relationships are formed using a sort of ‘cost-benefit’ analysis,
- But if we are striving to get more and give less, this may result in an unequal relationship.
What is equity theory?
- Suggests that people expect relationships to be fair and equal,
- They want to receive rewards from relationships that are in balance with the rewards they provide for the other person,
- If a relationship in unequal or unfair then it produces discomfort and distress in both partners, even if you are the one getting more and giving less,
- The disadvantaged person may try to make things fairer if it seems possible.
Hatfield et al. (1979) in support of equity theory?
- Asked newlywed to assess what they and their partner contributed to the relationship and their level of contentment with the marriage,
- The least satisfied were those who were under-benefitted, unhappy about giving the most,
- The next least satisifed were those who were over-benefitted, perhaps they felt guilty about giving the least,
- Equal relationships were the most satisfactory.
What differences did Argyle (1988) find in how people feel about unequal relationships?
- Over-benefitted men were almost as satisfied as those in equitable marriages,
- Over-benefitted women, however, were much less satisfied than women in equal relationships.
What theory did Rusbult (1980) come up with?
The investment model of commitment.
What is the investment model of commitment?
- Says that the stability of a relationship over time is determined by how committed the individuals are to the relationship, and that commitment varies depending on:
1a. Satisfaction - how well the relationship fulfils the person’s needs,
1b. Comparison with alternatives - to what extent the person thinks their needs could be better fulfilled in another relationship, or by not being in a relationship,
1c. Investment - how much the person feels they’ve put in to the relationship.
Le and Agnew (2003), findings in support of the investment model of commitment?
- Conducted a meta-analysis of 52 studies involving 11,582 participants and found a significant correlation between commitment to a relationship and satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment,
- Commitment level was also found to be a significant predictor of whether participants stayed in their relationship.
Common criticism of the investment model of commitment, equity theory, and social exchange theory?
- Some psychologists have argued that the theories are too simplistic in trying to describe how relationships are formed,
- Relationships are actually quite complex; the theories also don’t consider cultural and gender factors, which may cause people to treat relationships in different ways.
What is Duck’s (1988) four-phase model?
Argues that relationships end in stages,
1. Intra-psychic phase - inside the head of one person; one partner becomes dissatisfied with the relationship,
2. Dyadic phase - between two people; the other partner is told about the dissatisfaction,
3. Social phase - beyond the couple. The break-up is made public to friends and family. Implications are discussed, e.g. children or property. The relationship can still be saved here,
4. Grave-dressing phase - finishing the relationship completely. The ex-partners organise their lives post-relationship. They tell their own version of the break-up and of their current relationship with their ex.
How does one phase move into the next in Duck’s theory?
One phase in the model clearly leads onto the next as a threshold point is reached. I.e. the intra-psychic phase becomes the dyadic phase when the dissatisfied partner tells their counterpart they are unhappy within the relationship.
What does Duck’s model not account for?
Individual differences; research evidence suggests it doesn’t show how complex the breakdown of a relationship can be.
Rusbult and Zembrodt (1983), findings on relationship breakdown?
- Said some people in a relationship breakdown actively lead the process (i.e. to resolve problems, or to speed up the ending),
- Others are passive - they believe things will resolve themselves.
Akert (1992), findings on relationship breakdown?
Said people who do the breaking up are less likely to be upset or to show physical symptoms, e.g. loss of appetite or sleep.
