Theories of relationships

• Thibaut & Kelly (1959)

  we use 2 levels of comparison to assess how profItable relatIonships are

  • comparison level
  • comparison level with alternatives
• Kurdek & Schmitt (1986)

  • 185 couples of different sexualities completed a questionnaire
  • relationship satisfaction was higher when rewards outweighed the costs, and alternatives were deemed less attractive
• Sprecher (2001)

  • 101 university students completed a questionnaire
  • they found that rewards were a stronger predictor of satisfaction
  • relationship satisfaction was low when CLalt was high
• Utne et al (1984)

  • explored equity in married couples
  • 118 ppts used self report scales to measure equity and relationship satisfaction
  • equitable relationships were rated as more satisfying
• Stafford & Canary (2006)

  • 200 married couples answered a questionnaire on equity and relationship satisfaction
  • there was a positive correlation between them
• Schaffer & Keith (1980)

  women felt that they were under benefitting during periods of child rearing
• Impett et al (2002)

  • longitudinal study of 3600 married couples aged 17 - 79
  • stability of relationship positively correlated with commitment
• Rhahogan & Axsom (2006)

  women are more likely to stay in a bad relationship if their investment was high and economic alternatives were poor