eQuizShow
Breakdown of Relationships
Exchange Theories
Question: What is the social exchange theory?
Answer: Relationships are maintained through a cost-benefit analysis.
Question:
What is the equity theory? (Walster, 1978)
Answer: The perception of equality in a relationship
Equity theory is a theory that attempts to explain relational satisfaction in terms of perceptions of fair/unfair distributions of resources within interpersonal relationships.
Question: Hatfield (1997) found that...
(equity)
Answer: Hatfield (1997)
Couples who felt there was more equity in relationship – higher satisfaction
Couples who felt they were under-benefiting – lower satisfaction
Question: Provide 3 examples to explain the equity theory.
Answer: Even if our benefits are high, they may be perceived as unfair - guilt
If under-benefiting, a person may feel owed
So perhaps they may cheat? etc.
Question: Exchange theories are criticised - please provide two criticisms.
Answer: * Too 'cold' - do not take into account emotions which could override 'profit motive'.
* Culturally bound
* It is difficult to quantify costs and rewards in order to test the theory rigorously.
Accommodation
Question: What are patterns of accommodation?
Answer: Process of responding to a partner's negative behaviour.
Question: Explain the difference between constructive accommodations and destructive accommodations.
Answer: Constructive accommodations - discussing problems openly and honestly. Waiting for the situation to improve naturally and forgiving each other.Destructive accommodations - silent treatment, recounting past failures, physical avoidance
Question: Which factors influence whether one engages in constructive or destructive accommodations?
Answer: Idealisation of one's partner Feeling of commitment
Attachment - secure more likely to engage in constructive conflict resolution
Question: Murray and Holmes (1997) found that....
(positive illusions)
Answer: Murray and Holmes (1997) found that those with positive illusions about their partner reported less conflict and fewer destructive patterns of conflict resolution.
Question: Why are relationships maintained if they are destructive? Please give three reasons.
Answer: - Cultural expectations
- Low number of alternatives
- Too much investment
Other
Question: Briefly describe what Levine et al (1995) found
(romantic love and country’s wealth)
Answer: Levine et al (1995)
The link between romantic love and country’s wealth
Low wealth – less divorces
More wealth – more divorces
Question: How does communication determine whether a relationship will end?
Answer: Attribution style Communication may be negatively biased towards partner
e.g. Bradbury and Fincham
Attribution styles influenced how partners viewed each other
Resulting in them behaving in a certain way
Negative attributions towards partner – will behave more negatively towards them
Question: Provide limitations for the research into the breakdown of relationships
Answer: e.g
Cultural bias?
Heterosexual bias?
Socially sensitive?
Question: Briefly describe the phases in Duck's model of dissolution (1999)
Answer: Breakdown-Dissatisfaction leads to crisis. Repair strategy: correct own faults
- Intra-psychic phase: Thinking about relationship in private, may show little outward dissatisfaction, indirect communication about feelings
- Dyadic phase: After a partner decided the problem needs to be addressed it is time for confrontation. Phase characterised by arguments but there is still a possibility that the relationship could be repaired.
- Social phase: Dissatisfaction is shared with friends and family. People may take sides and may offer support after the relationship ends.
- Grave Dressing: Relationship has ended, partners justify decision, represents the relationship ending in favourable terms.
Question: Describe the factors common in break ups (four answers)
Answer: - Parental divorce- Different backgrounds/education/values
- Lower socio-economic class
- Higher number of sexual partners before marriage
Extra Question
Question:
Answer:
Question:
Answer:
Question:
Answer:
Question:
Answer:
Question: Explain Lee's stage model (1984)
Answer: Lee’s (1984) stage model
Dissolution is a process taking place over a period of time:
• dissatisfaction – problems recognised
• exposure – problems identified and brought out into the open
• negotiation – discussion about the issues raised during the exposure stage
• resolution attempts – both partners try to find ways of solving the problems
• termination – if the resolution attempts are unsuccessful.
Research evidence
Lee (1984) studied over 100 premarital romantic break-ups, and came up with the five stages. Those relationships that had been the strongest took the longest time to work through the five stages of dissolution.
Question:
Answer:
Question:
Answer:
Question:
Answer:
Question:
Answer:
Question:
Answer: