Theories of Romantic Relationships
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- Created by: EmilyZNorton
- Created on: 06-10-17 20:49
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.
- Over-benefitted: high profit, put little in & get a lot out
- 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.
- Restore actual equity: set things right or urge partner to do so.
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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.
- Establishing C+E difficult.
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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.
- Eveyone's tolerance of inequity different (Hasemen 1987)
- 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.
- Women + men affected by inequity 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
- Intrapsychic phase:
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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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