Relationship Development

Relationship Development

By Marissa Orsborn
Santiago, M/W 11 SOC 125

1. Relationship Development By Marissa Orsborn

2. Sequence of Relationship Developement Early theories of relationship development said couples move through a series of stages that are characterized by the amounts of commitment and involvement There are three stages which revolved around a issue that would lead the couple into the next stage which are:

3. Filter Theory Based on study of couples by Alan Kerckhoff and Keith Davis First potential partners are screened or evaluated by similarity or social attributes including religion, education, and social class. If they are too different they are filtered out Secondly they are screened from value consensus which is their similarities of attitudes and values Thirdly partners are tested whether they posses complementary or compatible traits, or interpersonal styles

4. Wheel Theory Aka “Wheel Theory of Love” by Ira Reiss First stage is called Rapport, where potential partners are at ease with talking to each other. If they are, they are believed to be similar in social and cultural variables This then turns to self-revelation in which the partners reveal or disclose degrees of information about their values and beliefs Which then turns to mutual dependency, which is each partner becomes dependent on the other to behave in ways to benefit their own habits or goals Finally this turns to intimacy need fulfillment which the partners evaluate whether their relationship and interactions satisfy each others basic needs.( such as love, sympathy and support)

5. Stimulus-Value-Role Theory Proposed by Bernard Murstein through three stages: One being the Stimulus Stage , where mates perceive each others outer charms compared to their own. If they agree to be equally attracted to each other they move on to the next stage The Value Stage allows the mates to value their compatibility on various values and attitudes The final Role Stage , the partners evaluate themselves and each other for roles such as being a spouse or parent These are all gathered through spread out encounters during the relationship and it shows to be unsuccessful scientifically because no one can identify at which encounter each stage actually occurs

6. Self Disclosure and Intimacy Social Penetration Theory says couples are to become more committed to each other as their depth (degree of intimacy) and breadth (number of areas) of self-disclosure increase. Intimacy Theory says that a couples relationship can develop through responses that leave their partner feeling validated, cared for and accepted.

7. Social Exchange Social Exchange theories focus on the exchange of rewards and costs that occur between partners and their relationship There are 5 Principle Theories

8. Priciple 1: Maximize Rewards, Minimize Costs Individuals seek in a relationship to maximize their rewards or anything they consider valuable, and minimize their costs, anything considered to be unrewarding Rewards can = financial security, sex, children and the social profit that comes with having an attractive, intelligent partner Costs can = things that involve too much time, effort compromise and lost opportunities.

9. Principle 2: Relationships are Dynamic Basically meaning relationships have a tendency to change over time. Partners engage in a process of evaluation where they access each other’s gains and losses, profits and expenditures, and rewards and costs. So if a relationship seems satisfying at one point, things can shift and what once seemed good can turn bad.

10. Principle 3: Evaluations Influence Relationship Developement Social exchange theories say the result of each partners cost-benefit evaluation determines a relationship. Example: when two people meet, they will immediately make a prediction of the outcomes of future interactions If the reactions are positive they will go on to a future romantic involvement, if they are negative they will not likely have anything then a superficial relationship, or no more contact at all

11. Principle 4: Evaluations Influence Relationship Satisfaction Partners perceptions of outcomes they get from a relationship are strongly linked with their level of satisfaction The relationship and contributions made for both partners is considered strong if the equity or the ratios of contributions between both partners is equal For example if one partner receives more benefits than the other, the relationship can still be equitable as long as he or she makes a higher number of contributions

12. Principle 5: Inequity Causes Distress People who find themselves in a relationship where one partner contributes more then the other will experience distress and seek to restore equity. Couples may try to restore equity within a relationship but if they fail, and it causes too much distress, the relationship is likely to end

13. Interdependence Theory John Thibauts and Harold Kelley’s theory which proposes that two people involved in one relationship are interdependent with respect to the outcomes of their behavior That is the thoughts, feelings, and actions of one partner influence his or her own outcomes as well as those of his or her partner Thus the partners, as the relationship develops are likely to coordinate their behaviors in order to achieve mutually rewarding outcomes

14. Critical thinking question Can you still have a strong relationship with someone that has no similar interests? Why or why not?