theories of romantic relationships

• What do partners want to maximize in social exchange theory?

  Rewards/profits
• What do partners want to minimize in social exchange theory?

  Costs/losses
• How do costs and rewards affect relationship stability?

  They result in stable/successful relationships
• Why might some costs/rewards be viewed as less important?

  Because they vary in importance to individuals
• What is the comparison level in relationships?

  • Estimation of relationship rewards
  • Comparison with previous relationships or media
  • Changes over time based on past experiences
  • Influenced by feelings of self-worth
• What does the comparison level with alternatives involve?

  Considering other potential partners for higher profit
• What can lead to the end of a relationship according to the comparison level with alternatives?

  Finding higher profit with other partners
• What is the critical aspect of relationships in Rusbult's Investment Model?

  Commitment
• What are the three factors that determine commitment in Rusbult's Investment Model?

  1. Satisfaction
  2. Comparison with alternatives
  3. Investment
• How is satisfaction achieved in a relationship?

  When costs and rewards are balanced
• What influences a partner's satisfaction in a relationship?

  Getting more than expected based on norms
• What does the comparison with alternatives factor involve?

  Evaluating current relationship against observed alternatives
• What happens if costs outweigh rewards in a relationship?

  Relationships would typically end
• What is considered an investment in a relationship?

  Anything lost if the relationship ends
• What are intrinsic investments in a relationship?

  • Tangible resources: money, possessions
  • Intangible resources: energy, emotion
  • Directly put into the relationship: time, disclosure
• What are extrinsic investments in a relationship?

  • Resources that emerge from the relationship
  • Tangible: home, mutual friends, children
  • Intangible: memories
• What combination leads to increased commitment in a relationship?

  High satisfaction, less comparison, increased investment
• Why do dissatisfied partners sometimes stay in relationships?

  They have invested a lot and fear waste
• What are relationship maintenance mechanisms?

  • Enduring partners promote the relationship
  • They prioritize partner's interests
  • They forgive serious transgressions
  • They think positively about each other
• What is the first stage of Duck's Phase Model?

  Intrapsychic stage
• What occurs in the intrapsychic stage?

  Internal acknowledgment of dissatisfaction
• What is the threshold for moving to the next stage in the intrapsychic stage?

  ‘I can't stand this anymore’
• What happens in the dyadic stage?

  Dissatisfaction is voiced to the partner
• What is the threshold for the dyadic stage?

  ‘I would be justified in withdrawing’
• What occurs in the social stage?

  Relationship problems become public knowledge
• What is the threshold for the social stage?

  ‘I mean it!’
• What happens in the grave dressing stage?

  Partners construct their version of the breakup
• What is the threshold for the grave dressing stage?

  ‘It’s time to start a new life’