Theories of Romantic Relationships

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Outline- SET

  • Social Exchange Theory
  • Thibault & Kelly
  • Business transactions
  • Rewards - Costs = Profit
  • Maintained when benefits outweigh costs
  • Minimax
  • Comparison Level: 
    • Comparison of current level of profit to that of previous.
    • Worthwhile if current profit seems greater than previous.
  • Comparison level for alternatives:
    • Comparison of current level of profit to that of alternatives.
    • Worthwhile if current profit seems greater than previous.
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Strengths- SET

  • SE for comparison levels
    • Sprecher: longitudinal- 101 couples.
    • CL alt is high = low satisfaction & commitment 
    • Negative correlation 
    • ^ validity.
    • Costs outweigh rewards = alternatives are more attractive.
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Weaknesses- SET

  • Difficult to objectively measure:
    • Costs & rewards different to each person
    • May alter through relationship
    • Challenge validity
  • Many reseaerchers don't accept economic method:
    • Clark + Mills- don't keep score of costs and rewards in general
    • Faulty assumptions- can't account for maj. of relationships
  • Overemphasises cost + rewards, ignores other factors
    • Views + beliefs, tolerance levels
    • Can't explain satisfaction
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Outline- ET

  • Equity Theory- Extends ideas of SET
  • Walster- both partners' level of profit are roughly the same.
    • Relationship maintained if it is percieved as equitable- satisfied.  
    • Relationship not maintained if it is percieved as inequitable- dissatisfied.
  • Consequences of inequity
    • Over-benefitted: high profit, put little in & get a lot out
      • Results in feelings of guilt.
    • Under-benefitted: low profit, lots in, little out.
      • Results in feelings of irritation.
  • Dealing with inequity:
    • Restore actual equity: set things right or urge partner to do so.
    • Restore psychological equity: distort reality & convince self things are fair.
    • Leave relationship: divorce or no longer have feelings.
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Strengths (+ opposing weakness)- ET

  • Supporting evidence: 
    • Utne 1984
    • 118 newly married couples- survey on equity.
      • Reported 'satisfaction' = more equitable relationships
      • Reported 'dissatisfaction' = likely to feel over/under- benefitted.
    • Correlation between satisfaction and equity.
  • Causality problems:
    • Establishing C+E difficult.
      • Dissatisfaction may be cause of inequity not consequence.
    • However research found that in inequitable marriages become less satisfied over course of a year (Van Yperen) 
      • When marriages are failing, people become preoccupied w/ inequalities.
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Weaknesses- ET

  • Individual differences not accounted for
    • Eveyone's tolerance of inequity different (Hasemen 1987)
      • Benevolents: tolerant of under rewarded + are 'givers'.
      • Equity sensitive: tension w/ inequity
      • Entitleds: dissatisfied w/ under reward
    • Some people may not be dissatisfied w/ inequity- invalid explaination. 
  • Gender differences
    • Women + men affected by inequity differently
      • (De Maris et al 2010 & Sprecher 1992)
    • Women: under-benefitted + feel more guilt in over-benefitted
      • (more likely to psycho restore if pregnant etc...)
    • Women: more aware of gender inequity in modern day marriages- more vigilant at relationship inequity.
    • Applies to different genders differently.
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Outline- IMOR

  • Importance of commitment- INVESTMENT MODEL OF RELATIONSHIPS
  • Satisfaction + Alternatives + Investments = Commitment level = Leave/stay
  • Satisafction: extent to which they feel rewards outweigh costs.
  • Alternatives: compare to previous/last.
  • Investments: resources that could be lost if ended.
  • Commitment level: intention/ desire to continue.
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Strength- IMOR

  • Supporting Evidence- Le & Agnew (2003)
    • Meta-analysis- 52 studies, 5 countries
    • Tested all 4 factors- relationships w/ great commitment were stable n lasted longest.
    • Results same for men & women across all countries, **** n Hetero.
    • Model= valid proven correlation. Apply to other cultures- pop val.
  • Explains why some people may stay in abusive relationships.
    • Low satisfaction, stay because high investments. (family/finance).
    • Validity- real life apps.
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Weaknesses- IMOR

  • Methodological Issues:
    • Le & Agnew: correlation doesnt equal causation
    • Other factors- religion, culture.
    • Lowers validity- no sure cause.
  • Over simplifies investment:
    • More to investment than resources.
    • Goodnew + Agnew- include future plans- influences commitment.
    • Limited- fails to recognise full complexity of investments.
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Outline- DPM

  • Duck's Phase Model- Once a partner is dissatisfied there are 4 phases:
    • Intrapsychic phase: 
      • 'express/repress'
      • May tell a friend/ keep private
      • Evaluate negatives/alternatives
    • Dyadic phase:
      • Confront partner
      • Resolve + repair
    • Social phase:
      • Discussed w/ friends- take sides/advice
      • Create reasons for break-up
      • Point of no return
    • Grave-Dressing Phase:
      • Own 'official' versions to protect self-esteem
      • Seem good for future partners
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Strengths- DPM

  • Positive real life applications
    • Paying attention to phase- allow intervention in breakdowns.
    • Insights used in relationship councelling
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Weaknesses- DPM

  • Incomplete/over-simplified:
    • Suggests linear progression
    • New stage- possible to return to stage 5:
      • Ressurection phase: reconfigure/ prep for new relations.
    • More valid.
  • Methodological issues:
    • Retrospective research
    • Unethical to study during breakdown
    • Inaccurate- memory- subjective.
    • Little scientific evidence
  • Fails to explain why breakdowns occur
    • Focuses once dissatisfied- no reason.
    • 'Fatal attraction'- enter relationships blind to failures- becomes diff to overlook. INCOMPLETE.
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