Exam 2 Study Guide: Lectures 9-15Lecture 9Vocabulary:Transference: phenomenon characterized by unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to anotherValentine’s Day: more break-ups in the month of February; bad relationships are ending, the ones that are already wavering Commitment and Relationship Dissolution Micro: interdependence Theory/commitment Self-Construal: How individuals perceive, comprehend, and interpret the world around them, particularly the behavior or action of others towards themselves - “I” vs. “we”- Cultural Differences - Gives us a glimpse into commitment Interdependence: - The way interacting individuals influence the experiences of each other via their behavior yields outcomes for the individuals involved What are outcomes? - Idiosyncratic- Companionship, emotional involvement- Intimacy, physical union- Security (physical and relational)- Material Gifts- Costs vs. Rewards (the things we sacrifice vs. the things we receive) Compare our outcomes to our comparison level (CL)- Expectations within the relationship- The quality of outcomes one expects from a relationship- Past relationships- Other’s relationships (social comparison)- Media (The Mindy Project episode) - Culture SatisfactionOutcomes ≥CL = SatisfactionGetting what, and more than, you expect Compare our outcomes to our comparison levels for alternatives- Alt= outcomes perceived to be available elsewhere or being single Dependence- Outcomes ≥ Alternatives = Dependence HDF 304- Degree to which one relies on a relationship for outcomes- Can our needs be fulfilled by other interactions? To summarize:1. The couples’ behaviors influence each other’s outcomes as they become more interdependent2. These outcomes are compared to our:Comparison levelsAlternatives 3. Depending on how our outcomes measures up to these comparisons, we are:More/less satisfiedMore/less dependent4. Level of Dependence then… Commitment: the subjective experience of dependence influences:Closeness, attachment, loyalty, obligationIntention to remainLong-term orientation Three Components of Commitment (ABCs of commitment)A- Affective (feeling attached, positive emotions)B- Behavioral (intent to persist; enact pro-relationship behaviors)C- Cognitive (long-term orientation, thinking about the dyad (cognitive interdependence, ease of accessibility) The Investment Model (Rusbult, 1980)More Satisfied  more committed Less Satisfied  less committed Cost vs. Rewards = outcomesExpectancies (CL)Outcomes ≥ CLLower alternatives  more committedHigher alternatives  less committed Other potential partnersSpecific or generalNo relationship Greater investment  more committedLesser investment  less committed Irretrievable resourcesChildren, house, $$$Joint social networksTime, emotions Commitment and its Consequences Stay and leave behaviorPerspective taking AccommodationDerogation of alternativesWillingness to sacrifice Illusions/ perceived relationship superiority Fidelity (less likely to cheat) Lecture 101. Briefly review commitment2. Discuss stages of break-up (divorce will come later)3. SKIP relationship cognition4. Start discussing current relationship trends ____________________________________1. Commitment- Interdependence Theory+ We compare our outcomes to what we expect and what we can get elsewhere+ Our comparisons influence satisfaction and dependence to the relationship- Investment Model+ Satisfaction (positive relationship), alternatives (negative relationship), investments (positive relationship / constraints)+ Commitment influences a variety of things (behavior, perspective taking, accommodation, etc.) 2. Stages of Break- Up- When we’re no longer committed to our romantic relationships, we go through these five steps- If one step resolves our problems, then we do no necessarily break up- Pathway to dissolutiona. Recognition of problems (tends to be gradual, ‘Intrapsychic?’ happens in our own head) b. Exposure of problems to partner (dyadic process: put cards on table, begin pulling out: “too busy”, short interactions, etc.) c. Negotiations (stays or go? How will conflict be resolved? “I’ll be better…”) d. Transformation of the relationship (Focus on self future vs. relationship future, symbolic purging: e.g. song, place, photos, haircut, etc., social phase: seek out others) e. Grave dressing (account making: create stories of how/why ended, convince self that still have market value, move on…) 3. Cohabitation - What is it? Unmarried partners involved in a close personal relationship who share living quarters- Quasi-cohabitation: couples stay together most nights, but still have their belongings in separate residences- More likely to ever cohabit: now then they use to- Current Cohabitation rates: more now- New pathway into marriage: about 2/3 of people who are married, cohabited with their partners before- Who cohabits? + Ages 25-44+ Lower SES and education (curvilinear for women)+ Women who value careers+ More liberal (less traditional family roles)+ Less religious- Why cohabit?+ Maximize rewards/ minimize costs+ Sexual access + Easier to spend time together+ Share cost of living and housework+ Combine income and time + Less travel time/distance+ Less decisions of who will go where, pick up whom+ Easy out + Four types?i. Just part of dating/practical ii. Try things outiii. Transition to marriageiv. Don’t believe in the institution of marriage Relationship Outcomes- Premarital cohabitation is associated with:+ Increased risk for divorce, especially- Serial monogamists- Non-Hispanic, white women + Worse marital communication quality + Lower satisfaction + Increased perception of marital instability + Increased likelihood of domestic violence Explanations of Outcomes- Experience, aka “Cohabitation Effect”+ The experience of cohabitation CAUSES the chances of marital success to decline- Selection Effect+ People who cohabit are fundamentally different than those who choose not to cohabit- Inertia Effect+ Some couples who would otherwise not have married end up marrying anyways Congruent vs. Incongruent- Congruent: Couples agree on why they are living together (precursor to marriage, just part of the dating process, etc.)- Incongruent: Couples who live together but are not in sync about where their relationship is headed (one is happy about living together, while other feels that they are moving “too fast”: