Theories of romantic relationships

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  • Created by: millmona
  • Created on: 17-01-18 12:04
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  • Social exchange theory: Thibaut and Kelley (1959) suggests that people try to maximise rewards and minimise costs, within a relationship. So a relationship is formed using a cost-benefit analysis.
    • Theories of romantic relationships.
      • The investment model: Rusbult (1980) states that the stability of a relationship over time, is determined by how committed the individuals are to the relationship.
      • Duck's phase model:Duck (1988) developed a four-phase model of the ending of an intimate relationship.
        • Intra-psychic phase: inside the head of 1 person. 1 partner becomes dissatisfied with the relationship
          • Duck's phase model is descriptive, it fails to explain why relationships might break down.
            • It also doesn't take into account of cultural differences within a relationship.
        • Dyadic phase: between 2 people. The other partner is told about the dissatisfaction.
          • Duck's phase model is descriptive, it fails to explain why relationships might break down.
            • It also doesn't take into account of cultural differences within a relationship.
        • Social Phase: The break-up is made public to friends and family. Implications are discussed. The relationship can still be saved at this point.
          • Grave-dressing phase: finishing the relationship completely, the ex-partners organise their lives post-relationship and tell their own version of the break-up.
      • Hatfield et al (1979) asked newlyweds to assess what they and their partners contributed to the relationship and their content of the marriage.
        • Equal relationships were the most satisfactory.
        • Equity theory: people want relationships to be fair and equal.
          • Theories of romantic relationships.
            • The investment model: Rusbult (1980) states that the stability of a relationship over time, is determined by how committed the individuals are to the relationship.
            • Duck's phase model:Duck (1988) developed a four-phase model of the ending of an intimate relationship.
              • Intra-psychic phase: inside the head of 1 person. 1 partner becomes dissatisfied with the relationship
                • Dyadic phase: between 2 people. The other partner is told about the dissatisfaction.
                  • Social Phase: The break-up is made public to friends and family. Implications are discussed. The relationship can still be saved at this point.
                    • Grave-dressing phase: finishing the relationship completely, the ex-partners organise their lives post-relationship and tell their own version of the break-up.
                • Sex differences- Argyle (1988) over benefitted men were satisfied in their relationships. over benefitted women were much less satisfied.
              • Satisfaction: how well the relationship fulfils the person's needs.
                • Comparison with alternatives: to what extent the person thinks their needs could be better fulfilled in another relationship.
                  • Investment: how much the person fells they've put in to the relationship.
                  • Commitment
                    • Comparison with alternatives: to what extent the person thinks their needs could be better fulfilled in another relationship.
                      • Investment: how much the person fells they've put in to the relationship.
                      • Stability of a relationship.

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