whole of theories effecting romantic relationships

What’s the social exchange theory?

Thibault and Kelly (1959) assumption is that it’s based on a form of exchange. We maximise rewards of the relationships whilst minimising the costs. Both partners try to give minimal costs in order to gain enough rewards to make the relationship profitable

What’s comparison levels?

We have a certain comparison level that we judge all our relationships against. It’s based on expectations from previous relationships. if the profit from a new relationship is deemed to be above the comparison level, then the relationship is thought to be worthwhile

What comparison levels for alternatives?

Where dissatisfaction occurs people will create a comparison level for alternative relationships

What are the three stages of relationship development?

Sampling, bargaining, commitment, institutionalisation

What is sampling?

Experimenting with the costs and rewards of social exchange in our relationships/observations of other relationships

What is bargaining?

Partners exchange various rewards and costs, they identify and negotiate which is most profitable

What is commitment?

Costs and rewards become predictable and costs reduce and rewards increase due to relationship stability

What’s institutionalisation?

Partners are now settled due to the norms of relationship being firmly established

Why may the social exchange theory be reductionist?

because it explains relationships mainly through rewards, costs and comparisons. Romantic relationships are complex and may involve love, attachment, commitment and moral obligations, which cannot always be explained through a cost–benefit calculation. This reduces the validity of SET as a complete explanation of romantic relationships.

What research support is there is for SET

Joel et al (2020) conducted a meta analysis of 43 longitudinal studies of couples and the two top predictors of relationship success were sexual satisfaction and conflict. However it was found that perceived partner satisfaction was another top five predictor. SET does not take perceptions of a partner happiness into account

Why is there methodical difficulties with measuring benefits and cost in SET

Point: Rewards and costs are subjective, making SET difficult to test objectively.

Explain: For example, one person may view spending time together as rewarding, whereas another may see it as restrictive. Researchers may struggle to measure these perceptions consistently.

Link: This limits the theory's scientific credibility because findings may depend on how rewards and costs are defined and measured.

why may SET lack validity?

alternative theories such as equity explains why people stay in abusive relationships.

Outline the equity theory

Walster (1978) is an economic theory in response to significant criticism of SET. Inequity leads to distress. the greater the inequity the greater the dissatisfaction

What happens when there is inequity in a relationship?

The under benefited partner will work hard to make the relationship more equitable

Why does chances in perceived equity happen?

It may feel natural to contribute more than you receive but if this continues as the relationship develops, it will continue to not feel satisfying

What are two things the under benefitted partner will do to restore equity?

They will change their cognitive perceptions of reward and costs so the relationship feels more equitable even if nothing changes, so what was a cost is now accepted as the norm. Or they will work hard to make the relationship more equitable

What research support is there for equity theory?

Joel er al (2020) found that two of the top five predictors of relationship success was ‘perceived partner commitment’ and ‘perceived partner satisfaction’ which suggest we want to maximise both our partners inputs and outputs in relationship which fits Witt the predictions of equity theory

Why may Joel et al( (2020) study have methodological issues?

Rewards and costs are subjective and usually based on superficial measurement such as money. Makes it hard to accurately quantify the ratio of inputs and outputs in a relationships

Why nah equity theory not apply to all cultures?

There is a cultural difference between equity and satisfactions. For example collectivist cultures like Jamaica were more satisfied when they were over benefitting, for both men and women. May be ethnocentric as it shows western cultures as the norm- caution when applying it to non western relationships

Why does equity theory ignore individual diffrence?

Some people are less concerned about equity than the norm. Eg some partners are benevolents- prepare to contribute more others are entitled: they deserve to be over benefitted.

(So some partners may not experience distress despite the relationship being inequitable)

What were the three factors Rusbult (1980) suggested as a way of explaining relationship stability?

Satisfaction, investment size, comparison with alternatives

What does satisfaction level refer to?

Rewards and costs experienced within a relationship. It is influenced by the extent to which the other person fulfils the individuals need eg domestic needs, compassionate

What is comparison with alternatives (rusbult model)

The extend to which an individual needs might be better fulfilled outside the relationship. The perception of an attractive alternative may cause the individual to turn away from the current relationship

What does investment size refer too (rusbult model)

The resources attached to the relationship that would diminish if the relationship were to end. Partners make investment expecting that it will create a strong foundation for a lasting future together. It increase dependence on the relationship and creates a psychological inducement to persist with a relationship

What’s commitment level affording to Rusbult model

The likehood that a relationship will persist. Commitment is high in romantic partners who are happy with their relationships. If the relationship were to end they would anticipate very little gain and heavy losses

What are everyday maintenance behaviours?

Accommodation, sacrifice, forgiveness, positive illusions, ridiculing alternatives

What did Rusbult et al (2011) argue?

That the main psychological factor causing people to stay in relationships was not satisfaction but commitment. This is an important distinction from earlier theories because it can help explain why dissatisfied partners chose to stay in relationships- they do not want to see their investment go to waste so they work hard to maintain and repair damaged relationship

Why may rusbult model be better than SET or equity theory?

It can explain a wider range of relationships such as abusive relationship

Outline the findings of Rusbult and Martz (1995) study

They studied women at domestic violence centre. They found that those most likely to return reported making the greatest investments and having the fewest attractive alternatives

What research is there to support importance of the three factors of Rusbult model and findings?

Le and Agnew (2003) conducted a meta analysis of 52 studies and found a coefficient to commitment for each factor. 0.68 for satisfaction, -0.48 for QOA and 0.46 for investment size

Why is there methodological difficulties for studies researching Rusbult model?

Rewards and cost are difficult to quantify and they can be subjective. They have often been defined superficially in order to measure them. This can make it difficult to accurately quantify level of satisfaction or investment. (However because we are investigating personal detail ie needs to be subjective and relevant to the individual)

What did Goodfriend et al (2008) suggest?

That the rusbult model oversimplies investment. Investment is not just the resources you have already put into the relationship. It also includes investment made for future plants

When may Duck’s model of relationship occur?

When there is inequity in the profits and costs in the relationship

In what order does the duck relationship breakdown occur?

The intraphysic phase → The dyadic phase → the social phase → the grave dressing phase

What happens during the intraphysic phase?

The focus of this phase is in the cognitive processes within the individual. The dissatisfied partner begins to reflect on their shortcomings of their current relationship. They may show little outward dissatisfaction and they weigh up the pros and cons of the relationship and evaluate these against alternative including being alone

What happens during the dyadic phase?

An interpersonal process between partners is the focus. After a partner has decided the problems need to be addressed, it’s time to confront the other partner. This phase can be characterised by arguments, anxiety, hostility and complaints of iniquity. There is possibility the relationship could be repaired but if this fails, the next phase is reached

What happens during the social phase?

Dissatisfaction is openly made known and is shared with friends and family. Partners seek support from others- sharing with the social network may speed up the breakdown as people take sides. This is usually the point of no return. Others will encourage the end of the relationship or pitch in to try and help repair it

What happens during the grave dressing phase?

The focus is now the aftermath as the relationship is now ended. Partners independently justify their decisions in order to gain social credit. They may blame circumstances or the other partner to maintain a positive reputation. Grave dressing involves greeting a personal story you can live with, tidying up memories and rewriting history

Why is one of the critics in that the model is incomplete?

Duck acknowledged that his original model failed to account for personal growth after a relationship ends. In 2006 he introduced the resurrection phase where people move beyond the distress caused by the break up. Duck also made it clear that progression from one phase to the next is not inevitable. It is possible to return to an earlier point in the process at any phase

What’s the supporting evidence for Duck’s breakdown theory?

Tashiro and Frazier (2003) surveyed 92 undergraduates who had recently broken up with a romantic partner. It was found that they reported emotional distress and personal growth. Findings suggest that the breakdown of romantic relationships can involve both grave dressings and ressurection processes as duck revised theory suggests

Why does duck’s breakdown model have useful real life applications?

The model helps us to identify and understand the stages of relationship breakdown but also suggests various ways of reversing it. Duck reccomends that people in the intra physic phase could be encouraged to focus their brooding in the positive aspects of their relationship. Such insights could be used for relationship counselling

Why may duck model be over simplistic?

It cannot be applied to all relationships. Relationships are never linear and are likely to be affected by a number of different individual diffrence. For example age will make a big difference to the experience of relationship breakdown and to behaviour inversions stages