Theories Of Romantic Relationships Flashcards by Dany Malik

What are the theories of romantic relationships?

-Social Exchange Theory.
-Equity Theory.
-Rusbult’s Investment Model Of Commitment.

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Who devised Social Exchange Theory?

Thibault & Kelley (1959).

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What is Social Exchange Theory?

An economic theory that states that relationships must maximise rewards and minimise costs to succeed.

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What is the profit level for a relationship?

Rewards - Costs.

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What is an example of a reward?

Spending time with partner.

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What is an example of a cost?

Losing time at the gym.

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What is an example of an opportunity cost in a relationship?

Spending time with partner at the expense of spending time with family.

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What is comparison level (CL)?

A judgment of the profit an individual is receiving in a relationship (rewards - costs).

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What factors determine the level of CL?

-Previous relationships.
-Social norms.

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Why may someone have a high CL?

High self-esteem, belief that they are worth more.

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Why may someone have a low CL?

Low self-esteem, bad previous relationships.

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What is alternative comparison level (CLAlt)?

A comparison of current relationship with being single or other relationships.

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What are the stages of relationship development (Social Exchange Theory)?

Sampling.
Bargaining.
Commitment.
Institutionalisation.

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What is stage 1 of the stages of relationship development (Social Exchange Theory)?

Sampling: costs & rewards are investigated.

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What is stage 2 of the stages of relationship development (Social Exchange Theory)?

Bargaining: compromise between partners over rewards & costs.

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What is stage 3 of the stages of relationship development (Social Exchange Theory)?

Commitment: exchange of rewards stabilises, focus turns towards the relationship itself.

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What is stage 4 of the stages of relationship development (Social Exchange Theory)?

Institutionalisation: the norms of the relationship are established.

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How did Kurdek & Schmitt (1986) study Social Exchange Theory?

For straight, gay & lesbian couples, greater relationship satisfaction was associated with:
-many rewards to the relationship (CL).
-less attractive alternatives (CLAlt).

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How did Hatfield (1979) study Social Exchange Theory?

Questioned newlyweds about their level of commitment in their marriage.
Found that the happiest people felt that the marriage was equal for both partners in terms of costs & rewards.

Evaluation points for Social Exchange Theory:

-Difficult to quantify rewards & costs as they are subjective. However, subjectivity makes it more applicable.
-Temporal validity.
-Applies to homosexual relationships.
-Assumes that humans are inherently selfish in relationships by trying to maximise their rewards and minimise costs.

Who devised Equity Theory?

Walster (1979).

What is Equity Theory?

Economic theory that states that relationships must have an equal ratio of rewards to losses to ensure equity.

How does inequity impact relationships?

• One partner will work hard to make the relationship work so long as they view it as salvageable.
• However, they may also revise the costs & rewards so that the relationship feels more equitable to them, even if nothing changes directly.
• The cost turns into the norm.

If one partner is benefiting from more profit (rewards - costs) than the other…

… then both partners are likely to feel unsatisfied.

If one partner’s reward : loss ratio is far greater than their partner’s...

... they may experience guilt or shame.

If one partner’s reward: loss ratio is far lower than their partner’s...

... they may experience anger or resentment (they are giving a lot and getting little in return).

What are the 4 principles of equity (Equity Theory)?

-Profit. -Distribution. -Dissatisfaction. -Realignment.

What is profit (Equity Theory)?

Rewards are maximised, costs are minimised.

What is distribution (Equity Theory)?

Trade-offs and compensations are negotiated to achieve equity.

What is dissatisfaction (Equity Theory)?

The greater the degree of perceived unfairness, the greater the dissatisfaction.

What is realignment (Equity Theory)?

If restoring equity is possible, maintenance will continue, with attempts made to realign equity.

How did Utne (1984) study Equity Theory?

A survey of 118 married couples showed that perceived equity was a predictor of relationship satisfaction.

How did Yum (2009) study Equity Theory?

Looked at relationships from 6 cultures, finding that equitable relationships engaged in the most maintenance strategies.

Evaluation points for Equity Theory:

-Research support, cultural validity. -Reductionist: explains complex relationship behaviours as a simple balancing act.

What are the factors of Rusbult's Investment Model?

-Commitment. -Investment. -Satisfaction (CL, ET). -Comparison With Alternatives (CLAlt, ET).

What is commitment (Rusbult's Investment Model)?

A romantic partner's desire to continue a relationship, believing that the relationship has a long-term future.

How does commitment help a relationship?

Commitment helps to maintain a relationship (e.g. a couple will attempt to work through a ‘rough patch’, even if it may be unpleasant).

What strategies might strengthen commitment?

-Sacrifice on both sides. -Positive illusions created. -Forgiveness.

What may weaken commitment?

-Presence of alternatives. -Low satisfaction.

What is investment (Rusbult's Investment Model)?

Anything that a person puts into a relationship that will be lost if it ends.

What are the types of investment?

-Intrinsic. -Extrinsic.

What is intrinsic investment (with examples)?

Resources that individuals put into a relationship (e.g. time, effort, self-disclosure).

What is extrinsic investment (with examples)?

Resources that arise out of the relationship (e.g. shared pet, network of friends, custody of children).

Why may a relationship survive despite low satisfaction?

-High commitment. -High investment.

How did Rusbult & Hertz (1995) study Rusbult’s Investment Model?

Found that women who left abusive relationships only stayed longer due to a feeling of commitment and investment (e.g. children) with poor economic alternatives.

How did Lee & Agnew (2003) study Rusbult’s Investment Model?

A meta-analysis across 5 countries found that satisfaction, comparison with alternatives and investment all predicted relationship commitment.

Evaluation points for Rusbult’s Investment Model:

-Lee & Agnew (2003) used a large sample and quantitative data, showing statistical analysis which increases reliability. -Recognising that commitment is a key factor linked to investment size explains why someone would stay in an abusive relationship. -The theory could be used to perpetuate abusive relationships by the abuser (i.e. knowing that the abused partner is committed to the relationship and has few alternatives could grant power to the abusive partner).