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Theories of romantic relationships Flashcards

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Conversation Starters flashcards
1
Q

The Social Exchange Theory

A

Reward vs cost which leads to a profit level

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

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2
Q

Thibult + Kelley (1959)

A

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

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3
Q

Blau (1964)

A

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

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4
Q

Comparison level (CL)

A

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

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5
Q

Comparison levels for alternatives (CLat)

A

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

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6
Q

Duck (1994)

A

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

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7
Q

STAGES OF ROMANTIC DEVELOPMENT

A
  1. Sampling
  2. Bargaining
  3. Commitment
  4. Institutionalisation
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8
Q
  1. Sampling
A

Costs and rewards of a relationship are investigated with another

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9
Q
  1. Bargaining
A

Negotiating between two parties where rewards and costs are agreed

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10
Q
  1. Commitment
A

The exchange of rewards are stabilised, focus on the relationship

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11
Q

Hatfield (1979)

A

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

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12
Q

Limitations of the social exchange theory

A

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

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13
Q

The Investment Model

A

(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

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14
Q

Rusbult (1983)

A

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

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15
Q

Satisfaction

A

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

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16
Q

What is meant by investment?

A

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

17
Q

What are the two types of investment?

A
  1. Intrinsic investment
  2. Extrinsic investment
18
Q
  1. Intrinsic investment
A

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

19
Q
  1. Extrinsic investment
A

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

20
Q

Rusbult (2011)

A

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

21
Q

Lee + Agnew (2003)

A

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)

22
Q

Equity Theory

A

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

23
Q

Clark + Mills (2011)

A

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

24
Q

What is meant by ‘inequity’?

A

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

25
Q

Utne (1984)

A

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

26
Q

Dainton +Goss (2003)

A

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

27
Q

Berg + McQuinn (1986)

A

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

28
Q

Reasons for relationship breakdown

A

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

29
Q

BUCK’S 5 STAGES

A
  1. Intra psychic phase
  2. Dyadic phase
  3. Social stage
  4. Grave-dressing stage
  5. Resurrection stage
30
Q

Stage 1: Intra psychic phase

A

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

31
Q

Stage 2: Dyadic phase

A

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

32
Q

Stage 3: Social stage

A

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

33
Q

Stage 4: Grave-dressing stage

A

“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

34
Q

Stage 5: Resurrection stage

A

Added by Rollie and Duck (2006)

35
Q

Stage 5: Resurrection stage

A

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)

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