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



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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.


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