Commitment - PPT

Commitment in Relationships

• The theme of commitment as it applies to interpersonal relationships and communication.

Announcements

• Assignment #2 is now available on Canvas and is due on 10/21.

• Appreciation expressed for completing the midterm course survey.

Class Engagement Survey Results

• Insights gathered from 201 respondents regarding feelings experienced during class:

  • Interested: 88% (176 respondents)

  • Confused: 8% (18 respondents)

  • Supported: 45% (104 respondents)

  • Disrespected: 1% (2 respondents)

  • Valued: 34% (77 respondents)

  • Overwhelmed: 11% (25 respondents)

  • Included: 35% (81 respondents)

  • Bored: 17% (39 respondents)

  • Encouraged: 43% (99 respondents)

Feedback from the Course Survey

• Respondents expressed the following sentiments:

  • Instructor Support:

  • Strongly Agree: 61% (140 respondents)

  • Agree: 34% (78 respondents)

  • Respectful Treatment by Instructor:

  • Strongly Agree: 78% (178 respondents)

  • Neither Agree nor Disagree: 21% (49 respondents)

• Additional considerations include the challenges of getting help outside class and the availability to practice materials.

Steps to Improve Student Experience

• Actions proposed based on survey feedback:

  • Provision of a review sheet for the next exam.

  • Increase of practice questions prior to the examination.

  • TA-led review session during the exam week.

  • Option for students to send inquiries to the TA or attend sessions for questions.

  • Recorded sessions to be made available on Canvas.

Recap from Previous Lessons

• Discussion on negative communication tactics:

  • Kitchen sinking

  • Off-beaming

  • Mindreading

  • Interruption

• Positive communication patterns explored:

  • Behavior description

  • I-statements

  • Active Listening

  • Paraphrasing

  • Perception Checking

• Emphasis on the challenges and difficulties in discussing problems within intimate relationships

• Concept of interdependence and transformation of motivation through experiential markers.

Transformation of Motivation Definition

• The process of substituting immediate self-interests with behaviors informed by overarching values and broader considerations.

Research on Interpersonal Scenarios

• Presentation of research data comparing responses in constructive versus destructive scenarios with time constraints.

• Example scenario:

  • "During an argument, your partner states, 'sometimes I think I would be better off without you.'"

  • Timing varies: immediate response required versus a no-time-limit situation.

Sacrifice in Relationships

• The concept of personal sacrifice as a mechanism for promoting the wellness of a partner or the relationship.

Practice Question - Transformation of Motivation Scenario

• Scenario:

  • Matteo, a Swiss student at UT Austin, has chocolate brought by his parents.

  • Multiple choice question concerning his motivations regarding sharing with his partner, Maeli:

  • A. Eats the chocolate solo; doesn’t mention it to Maeli.

  • B. Seeks Maeli's permission before eating.

  • C. Maeli consumes it before Matteo returns.

  • D. Saves the chocolate for sharing with Maeli.

  • Correct demonstration of transformation: Option D.

Relationship Status Check-in

• Survey participants’ relationship statuses were categorized.

  • Options included: Single (not interested), Single (open), Casually dating, Seriously dating, Engaged, Married.

Factors Creating Interdependence

• Satisfaction discussed in relation to outcomes compared to expectations:

  • Satisfaction arises when Outcomes > Comparison Level (CL).

  • Importance of satisfying relational experiences.

Dependence Definition

• Outcomes compared to Comparison Level for Alternatives (Clalt) indicate degree of dependence on a relationship.

• Highlights whether an individual can seek fulfillment through other relationships.

Calculating Satisfaction and Dependence

• Conceptual model displayed regarding:

  • Goodness of Outcomes measured against both CL and Clalt.

Investment Model of Commitment

• Definition of investments referred to as resources one may lose by exiting a relationship.

• Commitment forecast based on:

  • Satisfaction

  • Alternatives

  • Investments

• Formulaic representation of the relationship among satisfaction, alternatives, and investments:

  • $(Commitment = Satisfaction + Alternatives + Investments)$

Outcomes of Commitment

• Commitment predicts various relational behaviors, which are key actions in relationships:

  • Stay or leave behavior

  • Perspective taking

  • Accommodation

  • Derogation of alternatives

  • Willingness to sacrifice

  • Perceived relationship superiority

  • Fidelity

• The Investment Model will be examined further to understand its impact on relational stability and satisfaction.