Relationship Dynamics and Attributions

Flashcards covering key concepts from a lecture on relationship dynamics, attributions, and beliefs. The cards define various terms related to how individuals perceive and explain behaviors in their relationships.

Cognitive Biases

Mental shortcuts or errors in thinking that make it hard to be dispassionate or cautious in relationships.

Positive Illusions

A perception of one's partner that is a combination of being realistic and accurate, alongside a charitable and highly positive view of them.

Idealization (in relationships)

Believing a partner possesses all desired qualities, where personal ideals may shift as more information about the partner is gathered.

Attribution

The explanation or 'why' we give for events or behaviors.

Internal Attribution

Attributing behavior to a person's inherent talents, abilities, or characteristics.

External Attribution

Attributing behavior to situational factors or circumstances outside of a person.

Stable Attribution

Attributing behavior to a long-lasting characteristic, such as personality or intellect.

Unstable Attribution

Attributing behavior to something temporary, episodic, or out of the norm, like a fleeting mood.

Controllable Attribution

Attributing behavior to a choice or something within a person's power or agency.

Uncontrollable Attribution

Attributing behavior to something outside a person's control or hands.

Specific vs. Global Attribution

Specific attributes behavior to a unique event or time, while global attributes it to a recurring pattern or general tendency.

Actor-Observer Effect

The tendency to attribute one's own behaviors differently (often more positively or considering context) than the exact same behaviors observed in others.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to take credit for successes or positive outcomes while blaming external factors for failures or negative outcomes.

Relationship-Enhancing Patterns

Attribution patterns used by happy couples, where negative partner behaviors are minimized (context-dependent) and positive behaviors are maximized (due to good character).

Distress-Maintaining Patterns

Attribution patterns used by unhappy couples, where negative partner behaviors are blamed on internal faults, and positive behaviors are minimized or disregarded as flukes.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A cycle where a partner's expectations and attributions of behavior lead to the other partner's behavior adjusting to meet those expectations, reinforcing the initial belief.

Sentiment Override

The prevailing positive or pessimistic lens through which an individual tends to interpret the actions and behaviors of others.

Relationship Beliefs

Preconceived notions about what relationships are and what they should be, influencing actions and intentions.

Romanticism (Relationship Belief)

A belief in the power of love and deep affection in relationships, often characterized by ideas like 'love at first sight' or 'love overcomes any hardship.'

Destiny belief

A relationship belief that suggests romantic relationships are predetermined and meant to be, relying on the notion that there is a perfect match for everyone.

Growth belief

A perspective that relationships can develop and improve over time through effort and communication, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and adaptability. allows relationships to be messy and worth it if you try