interdependence and equity. the previous chapter (09) focused primarily on strategies used to keep...
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Interdependence and Equity
The previous chapter (09) focused primarily on strategies used to keep relationships:◦ 1. Satisfying and in good “working condition”◦ 2. At a desired level (e.g., anti-social
maintenance strategies; rules for friends with benefits)
This chapter extends satisfaction into a broader model of maintenance focused on keeping the relationship in existence.
Relational partners become interdependent through communication and the exchange of resources.
People are motivated to be in relationships that provide them with high levels of rewards and low levels of costs.
Rewards are positive consequences of being in a relationship•Emotional: positive affect when with partner (love, warmth, gratitude, etc.)
•Social: activities, meeting other people•Instrumental: partner helps accomplish tasks
•Opportunity: relationship allows you to do something you couldn’t do otherwise
Costs are the negative consequences of being in a relationship•Emotional: negative affect with partner •Social: having to do undesired
activities/interact with partner’s friends•Instrumental: partner prevents tasks
from being accomplished or creates more work
•Opportunity: life experiences given up for the sake of the relationship
The outcome refers to the overall level of “profit” or “deficit” in relationships
rewards – costs = outcome Relationships are generally rewarding when
outcomes are positive, and generally costly when outcomes are negative
Comparison level (CL) : “standard” by which people evaluate their relationships ◦ how rewarding or costly you expect your
relationship to be based on prior experience, family model, friends,
media, etc. Outcome - CL= Satisfaction
• When outcome meets or exceeds the CL, people are satisfied.
• When the outcome falls under the CL, people are dissatisfied.
Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLAlt) ◦Perceptions that a better alternative to the
relationship exists (another partner, being single, etc.)
◦ Book calls it “quality of alternatives” for some reason—use CLAlt
◦Poor alternatives are related to more commitment
◦Good alternatives are related to less commitment
Alternatives
Poor GoodCurrent Relationship
Meets or Exceeds CL
Fails to Meet CL
Satisfied and Committed
Satisfied but Uncommitted
Dissatisfied but Committed
Dissatisfied and Uncommitted
Extension of interdependence theory Investments—Resources attached to
relationship that would decline in value or be lost if relationship were to end. ◦ Intrinsic investments: resources put directly into
the relationship (time, money, effort)• Extrinsic investments: resources developed over
time as a result of being in the relationship (possessions, social networks, children)
Active
Exit Voice
Destructive Constructive
Neglect Loyalty
Passive
Costs
CL
Satisfaction
Investment
CLAlt
Commitment Stability
Rewards
RewardsCostsCL
Satisfaction
Investments
CL-Alt
Commit.Benign Attribs. & Emots.
Accomm.
Behavior
Decision to remain Accommodate partner (Not retaliate) Derogation of alternatives Willingness to sacrifice Perc. rel. superiority
Stable
Is distribution of resources fair for both partners?
Based on the ratio of benefits vs. contributions
e.g.,◦ Ken benefits (20) : contributions (20)◦ Kirsten benefits (20) : contributions (10)
◦ Ken is underbenefitted◦ Kirsten is overbenefitted
General Equity (overall balance)
versus
Specific Equity (balance in a particular domain)
Equity ≠ Equality
Cultural Differences in standards of fairness◦ e.g., North America vs. Asia
More satisfaction & commitment
More relational maintenance behaviors◦ Positivity◦ Openness◦ Assurances
Negative emotions (anger, guilt, sadness) expressed in more constructive manner
Distress, anger, sadness Feeling “cheated”; unfair Decreased relational satisfaction Less prosocial communication (both partners)
◦ Less relational maintenance behaviors Less positivity Fewer assurances Fewer shared tasks
◦ Less comforting
Guilt (but not always)
Sometimes feel smothered by partner
May try to increase partner rewards
Feel less need to employ relational maintenance behaviors
Restoring actual equity
Adjusting psychological equity
Leaving the relationship
Which is more important?
◦Equity or◦Reward/Cost Ratio
Women routinely underbenefitted in heterosexual relationships
Men in dual-career couples only spend 4 minutes a day more on chores than those in traditional single-income marriages
Women do not perceive imbalance unfair until it exceeds 2/3 of the work
Unlike heterosexuals, gay and lesbian partners share tasks roughly equally
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