Role of culture in relationships Role of communication in relationships Why do relationships change or end

Role of Culture Explain the role that culture plays in the formation and maintenance of relationships Moghaddam (1993)- need more cross-cultural research is US biased at present Goodwin (1995) passionate love Western versus arranged marriages Simmons et al (1986)- compared US and Germany to Japan Levine et al (1995) individualistic countries vs community based countries Divorce rates higher with disappearance of “love” Buss (1994)- large cross-cultural study (page 279)

Role of Communication Attribution theory (dispositional versus situational) Bradbury and Fincham (1990, 1992, 1993) Happy marriages attribute good behaviours to dispositional Unhappy marriages attribute bad behaviour as dispositional It is the kind of attributions which influence the behaviour of couples Flora and Segrin (2003)- negative feeling of women predicted marital problems

Role of Communication Altman and Taylor social penetration theory Close relationships form with self-disclosure- symbol of trust Collins and Miller (1994)- disclosure an important factor in establishing and maintaining a relationship (exchange theory) Gender differences with disclosure (Tannen 1990)- book about interpersonal communication How men and women say and understand things is different

Why do relationships end? Social Exchange Theory- Kelley and Thibaut (1959) Cost-benefit analysis Too simplistic Equity theory- Elaine Walster Perception of equality Explains infidelity Culturally bound to capitalistic interpretation of society It is difficult to quantify costs and rewards

Why do relationships end? Pattern’s of accommodation – Rusbult et al (1991) Constructive accommodations Murray and Holmes (1997) Idealization Commitment Destructive accommodations Attachment styles- Simpson (1996) Influence of environment and parenting

Why do relationships end? Common interests/activities- Flora and Sequin (2003) Men-most important factor to staying together Women-the best predictor of staying was the quantity of their negative feelings toward partner Gender difference in what constitutes a good relationship

Why do relationships end? Duck (1992) Gender- women initiate more that men Higher divorce rates in Teenage marriages Cross cultural Lower socio-economic backgrounds Increased previous relationships

Why do relationships end? Fatal attraction theory- Felmlee (1995) Disruption of predictability Duck (1992) children etc Argyle and Henderson (1984) Rules govern relationships- minimize conflict Deception the most important Sprecher (1999) couples that broke up did not feel less love, just more frustration with the relationship

Tasks Monday: notes Tuesday: make chart of cross-cultural differences p.279 Wednesday: test- question on 8.1 Thursday: flash cards social exchange theory, equity theory, patterns of accommodation, attribution theory, attachment styles, List of factors that increase risk of failure in relationships HW: essay- explain the role that culture plays in the formation and maintenance of relationships