10. Relationships EQs

Question 1

Name and outline one stage of Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown. (3 marks)

Answer 1

1. social phase
2. partners engage in activities aimed at getting over the relationship breakdown
3. announce they are splitting

Question 2

Briefly outline what is meant by ‘equity’ in relation to theories of romantic relationships. (2 marks)

Answer 2

1. an economic model of relationships based on the idea of fairness for each partner
2. emphasises the need for each partner to experience a balance between their cost / effort and their benefit / reward.

Question 3

Barbara says, ‘I’m really fed up and I wish the relationship was over. But I can’t tell him, because he thinks everything is fine.’

Jamima says, ‘We are getting through it slowly. We’ve told the children what’s going to happen to them and sorted out the money side. My mum was upset but she’s OK about it now. Friends take sides of course.’

Referring to Barbara’s and Jamima’s comments, outline two phases of relationship breakdown proposed by Duck. (4 marks)

Answer 3

1. intrapsychic phase – one person is privately dissatisfied with the relationship, considering ending the relationship, worrying about problems to come, considering expressing dissatisfaction to partner
2. Barbara is in the intrapsychic phase because she wants to end it and is worrying about
   telling partner who is unaware of how she feels
3. social phase – the breakdown has happened, other people are told, there is negotiation about practicalities, eg division of assets, childcare responsibilities etc
4. Jamima is in the social phase – friends and mum know, they are taking steps to arrange for
   children and sort out money.

Question 4

Anji is trying Internet dating for the first time. She is considering what information about herself to put in her online profile.

Friend A tells Anji not to be shy and that she should disclose everything.

Friend B warns Anji about the anonymity of the Internet and says people can be very critical so she should give out limited information at the start.

Use your knowledge of self-disclosure in virtual relationships to explain the advice given by Anji’s
friends. (4 marks)

Answer 4

1. friend A’s advice is in line with the hyper personal model of online relationships, suggesting more rapid self-disclosure than in face-to-face relationships
2. greater self-disclosure, as recommended by friend A, is said to lead to virtual relationships developing more quickly, being more intense
3. friend B warns against disinhibition which can occur in virtual relationships because of the anonymity/deindividuation
4. disinhibition might lead to critical/aggressive/unkind comment about Anji’s personal
   disclosures.

Question 5

Describe Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown. (4 marks)

Answer 5

1. a model that describes the four phases of relationship breakdown
2. intra-psychic phase – a partner thinks about his/her dissatisfaction with the relationship but
   this is not disclosed to partner
3. dyadic phase – both partners are aware of the problem – there is confrontation, discussion
4. social phase – partners disclose their problems to others – friends, family become aware of the breakdown of the relationship
5. grave dressing phase – each partner comes to terms with the breakdown and rationalises it
   by constructing a narrative of events.

Question 6

What is the main idea around social exchange theory? (1 mark)

Answer 6

A theory that proposes individuals focus on getting out more than they put in.

Question 7

Briefly outline the absorption addiction model of parasocial relationships. (2 marks)

Answer 7

1. parasocial relationships make up for deficits in real life relationships, enable a sense of identity
2. addictive nature means that parasocial relationships escalate through series of stages

Question 8

Chris and Sam are discussing their 15-year relationship.
Chris says, “Compared to the relationships of our friends, I think I get a good deal. I do the
household jobs and you earn plenty of money. It works well.”
Sam says, “It balances out. Also, it would be such a waste if we split up now. We’ve each put a
lot of time and effort into this relationship and we have a lovely home. It could never be this good with anyone else.”

Use your knowledge of theories of romantic relationships to explain the comments made by Chris and Sam. (8 marks)

Answer 8

• social exchange theory – Chris refers to costs and rewards of the relationship – for him the
  benefits outweigh the costs (good deal). Chris considers the comparison level – compares
  his situation with other relationships
• equity theory – Sam says, it balances out. If there is ‘balance’, then neither party under-
  benefits or over-benefits as the theory suggests relationships are better if there is a balance between cost and reward with emphasis on fairness
• Rusbult’s investment theory – Sam notes how they have both invested time and effort in
  the relationship (intrinsic investment), and how they have such a nice home together
  (extrinsic investment)
• Sam refers to the alternatives – how it would be with another partner – social exchange
  and investment theory both look at comparison with alternatives.

Question 9

Maria has lots of friends on Facebook and spends most of her time in her bedroom chatting on internet sites.

Explain how Maria’s self-disclosure during her use of social media might differ from her self-disclosure in face-to-face encounters. (4 marks)

Answer 9

• Maria’s self-disclosure will be less inhibited than in face-to-face interaction – she may
  disclose more personal information to people who are strangers eg where she lives – she may disclose information sooner in the relationship than she would normally
• She will not apply the usual gating mechanisms that apply to face-to-face encounters
• She will not employ the normal distancing with which face-to-face interactions are
  regulated