The maintenance of romantic relationships

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  • Created by: Rosie
  • Created on: 30-03-13 14:42
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  • Maintenance of relationships
    • Equity theory
      • Shown by Stafford and Canary, who found that those reporting higher equity, also reported higher satisfaction
        • However this uses self reports which are unreliable and can be swayed by SDB
      • Limited by Gender bias
        • Steli and weltman found that men and women judge equity differently. E.G the importance of careers is judged differently, depending on who earns more.
      • Perceived inequity of a relationships leads to dissatisfaction
        • Limited as it's subjective, and there's no real measure of equity.
        • Not the same as equality - it's a ratio on inputs and outputs
        • The higher the perceived inequity, the higher the distress
        • Clark and Mills suggest the the relationship between lovers is more about a desire to for-fill the needs of the other, rather than inputs/outputs.
      • Waister (1978)
    • Social exchange theory
      • commitment occurs if profits out way costs
        • Supported by abusive relationships being maintained
      • Thibault and Kelly (1959)
      • Comparison levels are developed; comparing previous and possible relationships to the current one
        • This is supported by Simpson, who found that those in relationships rated the attractiveness of others lower - suggesting they've compared it and are now protecting it
      • This is limited by the fact the people leave relationships despite no alternative/ cost of remaining.
      • Based on Western ideas of relationships - staying/leavingfor individualistic reasons.
    • Reductionist and Determinist
    • Can be explained using the evolutionary theory
  • Perceived inequity of a relationships leads to dissatisfaction
    • Limited as it's subjective, and there's no real measure of equity.
    • Not the same as equality - it's a ratio on inputs and outputs
    • The higher the perceived inequity, the higher the distress
    • Clark and Mills suggest the the relationship between lovers is more about a desire to for-fill the needs of the other, rather than inputs/outputs.

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