theories of romantic relationship relationships

What does the social exchange theory say?

social behaviours – series of exchanger something is given and gained, maintaining a relationship = depends on the profit/loss of outcome between rewards and loss

cost – time wasted, effort, financial investment, missed opportunities

Rewards – companionship being cared for sex support

what is the aim of relationships?

To maximise rewards and minimise costs

what is the comparison level?

The idea of how much somebody believes they deserve from a relationship their minimum benchmark. This is subjective and depends on the individual for example some may accept only a big profit and some may take a small one.

Developed their experiences and ideas of what is

Influenced by social norms, e.g. TV, films, books, friends and self-esteem

what is the comparison level for alternative?

A perception about whether a different potential relationship or being single could be more rewarding than being in their current relationship

SET argues people stay in their current relationship if it’s more profitable than alternatives both CL and CL alternatives affect somebody’s satisfaction

what are the stages of relationship development?

One – sampling, testing several relationships before settling in the best One

Two – bargaining, each partner of the couple explores what gives them award and what is the cost within the relationship each partner attempts to maximise their rewards and lower their costs

three – commitment the couple settle into a relationship reward/costs become agreed unsettled into a fairly predictable routine

four – institutionalisation, or interactions have become established the couple has settle down

what is the equity theory?

Behaviour equals based on striving to achieve fairness

Maintaining a relationship equals working towards a balance and fairness between partners

what is the ratio of input and output

if there is an In equity, we are motivated to restore equity which can be done by changing how much input a person puts in or the amount demanded

also using our own CL and CL alt We may assess whether it is worth Continuing a current relationship

In equity can develop in relationships

what is over an under benefiting?

Over – one partner getting more profit than other

Under - one partner getting less profit than other and feel dissatisfaction and anger

how do you deal With inequity

The greater the inequity the greater than dissatisfaction there is a strong correlation between equity and satisfaction

Behavioural – the put upon partner will work hard to make a relationship more equitable as long as they believe it is possible and the relationship is salvageable. The couple will work hard to restore equity.

Cognitive – they will revise their perceptions of course and rewards so that other relationship feels more equitable even if nothing changes behaviourally what was once seen as a cost earlier would be accepted as the norm

what is rusbults Investment model

Development of SET and considers the role of investments, commitment and maintenance of romantic relationship = satisfaction

what’s a satisfaction?

Commitment is strengthened with the amount of satisfaction we have

In this case, it is defined as rewards minus costs = satisfaction

We can compare the level of satisfaction to past relationships

what is investment?

main factor which maintains commitment

Commitment is also increased by the amount of investment we have put into a relationship

Investment include includes anything we have put into a relationship that will be lost if we leave like the resources associated with the relationship e.g. shared friends money at home emotional energy

Intrinsic investment: resources we directly put into the relationship, e.g. money and possessions (tangibles) or energy emotion and self-disclosure (intangibles)

What is extrinsic investment?

Resources that previously feature in the relationship but are now closely associated with a relationship tangibles = possessions walk together mutual friends and children intangible = shared memories

Describe comparison with alternatives

Are there any alternatives which would be better for me?

This could be with another partner

Comparisons with previous relationship/relationship

what is commitment?

A key psychological factor that causes people to stay in a relationship

People who are not satisfied me stay in a relationship because they are committed to their partner

People are committed because they have invested in the relationship, they don’t want to waste what they have invested

what are some relationship maintenance mechanisms?

accommodation – enduring partners do not engage in tip for retaliation but act promote the relationship

Willingness to sacrifice – will put their partner’s interests first

Forgiveness – forgive them for serious transgression

Positive illusions – relationship maintenance also include includes cognitive processes partners are unrealistically positive about their partner

alternatives – negative about tempting alternatives

what is duck’s phase model?

Relationship breakdown = a gradual process that takes time and goes to 4 distinct phases

Each phase = partner reaches a threshold their perception of the relationship changes

Relationship breakdown = usually starts with Dissatisfaction

Stage one: intra psychic processes I’d be justified with withdrawing

• Characterise by social withdrawal and resentment

• Communication between the couple breaks down

• The dissatisfied partner begins to focus in on the other partner’s fault

• Internally justifying your desire to break up

Stage two:dyadic process I mean it

• The dissatisfaction of the relationship has finally expressed to the other partner

• The other partner may be oblivious to it or also dissatisfied

• This can lead to reconciliation = problem is fixed the breakdown ends or destruction = the couple aren’t able to resolve the problem continue to the next phase

stage three: social processes it’s now inevitable

• The breakup has made public

• Family and friends are confided in an advice is sought

• Each member of the couple may begin to start testing the market for future partners

• Based on friends advice and dating experiences this could lead to reconciliation or further destruction

stage four: grave dressing processes, time to get a new life

• Relationship as well and truly dead

• A narrative of the breakup is created by both partner

• These narratives usually demonise the ex partner whilst making myself look good for a new relationship

• Meet your friends begin to choose sides