Implicit Theories of Relationships and Conflict Communication Patterns in Romantic Relationships: A Dyadic Perspective

The present study examined the relationship between dyadic interaction patterns and implicit theories of relationships (ITRs; deeply held beliefs about the nature of relationships) using a sample of N = 104 couples. We hypothesised that destiny beliefs would predict greater avoidance in conflict interactions, while growth beliefs would predict more constructive communication. Surprisingly, the results of the current study challenge the existing literature by indicating that neither destiny nor growth beliefs predict constructive communication or mutual avoidance for the couple. Further, while destiny beliefs were related to increased withdrawal in a demand-withdraw pattern, growth beliefs related to both demand and withdraw in a demand-withdraw pattern. These findings suggest that assessing the relationship between ITRs and communication patterns at the couple level introduces complexity that is underexplored in the current literature on implicit theories of relationships.

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Understanding Infidelity Forgiveness: An Application of Implicit Theories of Relationships

Journal of Relationships Research ◽

10.1017/jrr.2019.21 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Ashley E. Thompson ◽

Dallas Capesius ◽

Danica Kulibert ◽

Randi A. Doyle

Keyword(s):

Causal Relationship ◽

Implicit Theories ◽

Attachment Insecurity ◽

The Relationship ◽

Implicit Theories Of Relationships

Abstract Two studies were conducted to identify variables associated with hypothetical infidelity forgiveness and promote forgiveness by manipulating implicit theories of relationships (ITRs; destiny/growth beliefs). Study 1 assessed the relationship between the type of behaviour, sex of the forgiver, ITRs and infidelity forgiveness. Study 2 investigated the causal relationship between ITRs and infidelity forgiveness (including attachment insecurity as a moderator). Results revealed that male participants forgave a partner's infidelity to a greater extent than female participants and that solitary behaviours were rated as most forgivable, followed by emotional/affectionate and technology/online behaviours, and sexual/explicit behaviours as least forgivable. Male participants (not female participants) induced to endorse growth beliefs forgave a partner's emotional/affectionate and solitary infidelity to a greater extent than those induced to endorse destiny beliefs; attachment insecurity moderated this relationship. These results have important implications for researchers and practitioners working with couples in distress.

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Implicit Theories of Relationships: Orientations Toward Evaluation and Cultivation

Personality and Social Psychology Review ◽

10.1207/s15327957pspr0701_3 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 41-55 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

C. Raymond Knee ◽

Heather Patrick ◽

Cynthia Lonsbary

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Romantic Relationships ◽

Implicit Theories ◽

And Behavior ◽

Motivation And Achievement ◽

Implicit Theories Of Relationships

Implicit theories of relationships (ITRs) influence goals, motivations, attributions, and behavior in romantic relationships. We developed a model of ITRs that draws from social cognition, motivation, and achievement literatures, and derived conceptual parallels and hypotheses with regard to relationships. It is proposed that ITRs reflect the belief component of a larger system of motivations and goals that can influence the degree to which people are oriented toward the evaluation and cultivation of relationships. Research on ITRs is reviewed with regard to how they moderate well-documented associations between relationship perceptions and outcomes. Differences between ITRs and implicit theories in other domains are also discussed.

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Ghosting and destiny: Implicit theories of relationships predict beliefs about ghosting

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407517748791 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 905-924 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gili Freedman ◽

Darcey N. Powell ◽

Benjamin Le ◽

Kipling D. Williams

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Romantic Relationship ◽

Implicit Theories ◽

Mechanical Turk ◽

Opposite Pattern ◽

Relationship Termination ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Implicit Theories Of Relationships

Two studies examined how implicit theories of relationships are associated with ghosting (i.e., ending a relationship by cutting off all contact). Previous research on implicit theories of relationships has identified two types of beliefs, destiny and growth, and the present research examines how these implicit theories are associated with ghosting perceptions, intentions, and behaviors. Study 1 was an exploratory study conducted on Mechanical Turk that focused on romantic relationships ( N = 554). Study 2 was a confirmatory study conducted on Prolific Academic that aimed to replicate the romantic relationship findings and extended the research to friendships ( N = 747). Stronger destiny beliefs, compared to weaker destiny beliefs, were positively associated with feeling more positively toward ghosting, having stronger ghosting intentions, and having previously used ghosting to terminate relationships. Stronger growth beliefs, compared to weaker growth beliefs, showed the opposite pattern with perceptions of acceptability and intentions to use ghosting. Taken together, the present research provides an important first step in understanding how implicit theories relate to relationship termination strategies and, specifically, the process of ghosting.

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Implicit Theories of Relationships and Close Relationship Violence

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0146167212473159 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 279-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Rebecca A. Cobb ◽

C. Nathan DeWall ◽

Nathaniel M. Lambert ◽

Frank D. Fincham

Keyword(s):

Close Relationships ◽

Implicit Theories ◽

Current Work ◽

Relationship Violence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Interest ◽

Close Relationship ◽

The Relationship ◽

Implicit Theories Of Relationships

People differ in what they think makes for a successful relationship, but it is unclear how these beliefs relate to the perpetration of violence. Four studies ( N = 2,591) examined the relationship between growth beliefs and the perpetration of violence in close relationships. Specifically, the current work tested the hypothesis that growth beliefs mitigate against close relationship violence, possibly due to increased satisfaction with sacrificing one’s own self-interest for the betterment of the relationship. Studies 1 and 2 provided cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence that growth beliefs predicted less perpetration of close relationship violence. Studies 3 and 4 showed that the relationship between growth beliefs and lower perpetration of violence was mediated by satisfaction with sacrifice within one’s relationship. All effects of growth beliefs remained significant after controlling for destiny beliefs. Discussion centers on the importance of implicit theories of relationships for understanding the perpetration of violence in close relationships.

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