Lecture 4

Question 1

What is the reliability of current relationship satisfaction as a predictor of the relationship’s status five years later?

Answer 1

Current satisfaction with a relationship is a bad predictor of whether individuals will still be together five years later.

Question 2

What percentage of marriages end in divorce, and at what age do most divorces occur?

Answer 2

• 35% of marriages end in divorce.
• 65% of marriages don’t.
• Most divorces occur around the age of 40-50 years.

Question 3

How does relationship satisfaction change over time, and what are the general trends in the first ten years and around 20 years after relationship initiation?

Answer 3

• Relationship satisfaction decreases across time, fluctuating from moment to moment.
• There is a decline in the first ten years, followed by a decrease close to 20 years after relationship initiation, after which it decreases once again.
• Even at the lowest point, relationship satisfaction tends to be quite high (6.0).

Question 4

What are some benefits and costs associated with romantic relationships?

Answer 4

Benefits:

• Companionship, Feeling of love, Self-respect/esteem, Support/secure, Happiness, Sexual gratification.

Costs:

• Social sacrifices, Lack of freedom to date, Time and effort, Feeling worse about self, Fights/stress.

Question 5

How are relationships based on social exchange, and what is the role of equity in relationship satisfaction?

Answer 5

• Relationships are based on social exchange of rewards and costs.
• Relationship satisfaction occurs when partners experience equity, where relative outcomes are equal.
• Lack of equity leads to dissatisfaction.

Question 6

What is the Comparison Level (CL), and how does it relate to satisfaction in a relationship?

Answer 6

• Comparison Level (CL) determines satisfaction by comparing outcomes to expectations.
• If outcomes are higher than the CL, the individual is satisfied.
• CL depends on past experiences, media, expectations, etc.

Question 7

What is the Comparison Level of Alternatives, and how does it influence relationship stability?

Answer 7

• Comparison Level of Alternatives: Outcomes an individual can get elsewhere.
• Relationship stability depends on how outcomes in the current relationship compare to alternatives.
• If outcomes in the current relationship are higher than the comparison level of alternatives, it leads to dependency.

Question 8

What factors influence break-up decisions, and what are some considerations in predicting the aftermath?

Answer 8

• Break-up decisions depend on own commitment, perceived partner’s commitment, and expected partner distress.
• Affect forecasting: People predict to feel worse after a break-up than they actually do.

Question 9

What role does commitment play in relationships, especially during challenging times?

Answer 9

• Commitment is a central motive in relationships, promoting pro-relationship behavior, especially during conflicts and external stress.
• Willingness to sacrifice for the partner or relationship is a key element.

Question 10

What is the concept of willingness to sacrifice, and how does it relate to social dilemmas in relationships?

Answer 10

• Willingness to sacrifice involves setting aside self-interest for the interest of the partner and/or relationship.
• Relatively equal sacrifice between partners in social dilemmas.

Question 11

In what situations can sacrificing be beneficial, and what are the different motives behind sacrifices?

Answer 11

• Approach motivated sacrifice: sacrificing to benefit the partner.
• Avoidance motivated sacrifice: sacrificing to avoid trouble.
• Short-term self-interest can transform into long-term relationship interest through sacrifice.

Question 12

How does pro-relationship behavior contribute to the growth of a relationship, and what is the cyclical growth model?

Answer 12

• Pro-relationship behavior is diagnostic and communicates commitment.
• It induces a dyadic and cyclical process that benefits the relationship and makes it grow stronger.

Question 13

What are some features of high-quality relationships, including capitalization, gratitude, and high-quality listening?

Answer 13

• Capitalization: Responding positively to your partner’s positive experiences.
• Gratitude: Partners in a happy relationship tend to experience more gratitude.
• High-quality listening: Listening instead of giving advice for effective stress reduction.

Question 14

How do individuals protect their relationships against alternatives, and what are some behaviors associated with this?

Answer 14

• Derogation of alternatives: devaluation of attractiveness.
• Biased recall of positive/negative behaviors.
• Inattentiveness to alternatives.

Question 15

What are some negative aspects associated with commitment, especially in abusive relationships?

Answer 15

• People may stay in abusive relationships due to lack of alternatives or high investments.
• Victimised partners may cope through justification of violence and habituation to lower standards.