Lecture 4 Flashcards
What is the reliability of current relationship satisfaction as a predictor of the relationship’s status five years later?
Current satisfaction with a relationship is a bad predictor of whether individuals will still be together five years later.
What percentage of marriages end in divorce, and at what age do most divorces occur?
- 35% of marriages end in divorce.
- 65% of marriages don’t.
- Most divorces occur around the age of 40-50 years.
How does relationship satisfaction change over time, and what are the general trends in the first ten years and around 20 years after relationship initiation?
- Relationship satisfaction decreases across time, fluctuating from moment to moment.
- There is a decline in the first ten years, followed by a decrease close to 20 years after relationship initiation, after which it decreases once again.
- Even at the lowest point, relationship satisfaction tends to be quite high (6.0).
What are some benefits and costs associated with romantic relationships?
Benefits:
- Companionship, Feeling of love, Self-respect/esteem, Support/secure, Happiness, Sexual gratification.
Costs:
- Social sacrifices, Lack of freedom to date, Time and effort, Feeling worse about self, Fights/stress.
How are relationships based on social exchange, and what is the role of equity in relationship satisfaction?
- Relationships are based on social exchange of rewards and costs.
- Relationship satisfaction occurs when partners experience equity, where relative outcomes are equal.
- Lack of equity leads to dissatisfaction.
What is the Comparison Level (CL), and how does it relate to satisfaction in a relationship?
- Comparison Level (CL) determines satisfaction by comparing outcomes to expectations.
- If outcomes are higher than the CL, the individual is satisfied.
- CL depends on past experiences, media, expectations, etc.
What is the Comparison Level of Alternatives, and how does it influence relationship stability?
- Comparison Level of Alternatives: Outcomes an individual can get elsewhere.
- Relationship stability depends on how outcomes in the current relationship compare to alternatives.
- If outcomes in the current relationship are higher than the comparison level of alternatives, it leads to dependency.
What factors influence break-up decisions, and what are some considerations in predicting the aftermath?
- Break-up decisions depend on own commitment, perceived partner’s commitment, and expected partner distress.
- Affect forecasting: People predict to feel worse after a break-up than they actually do.
What role does commitment play in relationships, especially during challenging times?
- Commitment is a central motive in relationships, promoting pro-relationship behavior, especially during conflicts and external stress.
- Willingness to sacrifice for the partner or relationship is a key element.
What is the concept of willingness to sacrifice, and how does it relate to social dilemmas in relationships?
- Willingness to sacrifice involves setting aside self-interest for the interest of the partner and/or relationship.
- Relatively equal sacrifice between partners in social dilemmas.
In what situations can sacrificing be beneficial, and what are the different motives behind sacrifices?
- Approach motivated sacrifice: sacrificing to benefit the partner.
- Avoidance motivated sacrifice: sacrificing to avoid trouble.
- Short-term self-interest can transform into long-term relationship interest through sacrifice.
How does pro-relationship behavior contribute to the growth of a relationship, and what is the cyclical growth model?
- Pro-relationship behavior is diagnostic and communicates commitment.
- It induces a dyadic and cyclical process that benefits the relationship and makes it grow stronger.
What are some features of high-quality relationships, including capitalization, gratitude, and high-quality listening?
- Capitalization: Responding positively to your partner’s positive experiences.
- Gratitude: Partners in a happy relationship tend to experience more gratitude.
- High-quality listening: Listening instead of giving advice for effective stress reduction.
How do individuals protect their relationships against alternatives, and what are some behaviors associated with this?
- Derogation of alternatives: devaluation of attractiveness.
- Biased recall of positive/negative behaviors.
- Inattentiveness to alternatives.
What are some negative aspects associated with commitment, especially in abusive relationships?
- People may stay in abusive relationships due to lack of alternatives or high investments.
- Victimised partners may cope through justification of violence and habituation to lower standards.
