The Unbearable Automaticity of Being . . . in a Close Relationship

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey L. Hicks ◽  
James K. McNulty

A recent surge in research on automatic processes in close relationships has revealed new insights into how people form and update relationship evaluations as well as the implications of these evaluations for their relationship outcomes. We begin by summarizing this research within the framework of interdependence theory—the predominant theory of how people evaluate and make decisions about their close relationships. In doing so, we review evidence that implicitly assessed automatic partner attitudes reflect pleasant and unpleasant experiences involving the partner and predict subsequent relationship outcomes, sometimes better than more deliberative judgments. Next, we describe several dual-process perspectives that suggest how and when these attitudes shape such outcomes, and we conclude by highlighting the potential benefits of examining automatic partner attitudes for theories of relationship science and beyond.

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 806-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Ináncsi ◽  
Attila Pilinszki ◽  
Tünde Paál ◽  
András Láng

It is commonly known from the literature that Machiavellian individuals have negative attitudes towards people and in general towards the world´s affairs. They are distrustful of the intentions of others, and they get cautiously involved into interpersonal interactions and take risks only if that may not have any severe negative consequence. It is also a fact that there are few ventures in life that potentially involve as much insecurity and personal vulnerability as the establishment and maintenance of close relationships. In our study, we were seeking the answer to the question: do people with high levels of Machiavellianism show a generally negative, distrustful and cautious attitude in their intimate relationships, as well? What effect their pessimistic approaches have on the other consequences of the relationship (satisfaction, commitment, investment, quality of alternatives)? This question was investigated on a dyadic sample of heterosexual couples (N = 101 pairs) with Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). The results of the correlations and actor effects show that men with high levels of Machiavellianism perceive in a negative way not just people in general, but their romantic partners and relationships as well and they experience an increased level of distrust, risk, and dissatisfaction into their close relationships. Women with high levels of Machiavellianism are less negativistic and feel less discontent towards their intimate partner and relationship, but even they are unable to put their distrust and precaution aside. The results of partner effects have revealed that women's Machiavellianism undermines men's trust, while men's Machiavellianism has the effect of minimizing women's investment into their relationship.


Author(s):  
Peter Baldwin

Americans Are Patriotic And Nationalist, but not more than some Europeans (figure 173). Unsurprisingly, Germans are least proud of their nation, and rather unexpectedly and cheerily, the Portuguese—not the Americans—are most proud, with the Irish tied for second place. A 2007 survey reveals that a larger proportion of Italians consider their culture superior than any other nationalities surveyed, including the Americans. Another survey finds that only the Irish feel more uniformly proud to be of their nation. Proportionately more Austrians, Irish, French, and Danes claim they feel very close to their nation than do Americans. Americans are more likely than any Europeans to think that their country is better than most others. But proportionately more Portuguese, Danes, and Spaniards feel that the world would be improved if other people were like them. And any U.S. tendency to boosterism is tempered by the finding that a larger fraction of Americans admits that certain aspects of their country shame them than do the Germans, Austrians, Spanish, French, Danes, or Finns. No country more robustly projects its own nationalist aspirations in the products it sells abroad than the supposedly postnational Swedes. Swedish manufacturers, or at least their advertising agencies, seem convinced that the sheer fact of being Swedish is a selling point. Ikea’s walls are adorned with musings on the preternaturally close relationship between Swedes and nature that allegedly sets them apart from the rest of humanity, as are packets of Wasa crispbread. Asko’s slogan, “Made In Sweden,” is festooned prominently on its products. Though it does not necessarily inspire confidence that the company’s dishwashers are better than the competition, it certainly makes clear Asko’s national origins. Absolut Vodka’s tag—in uncharacteristically unidiomatic English—“Country of Sweden,” does much the same. Saab hawks its cars as “Born from Jets,” an unsubtle allusion to the company’s standing as a pillar of the Swedish military-industrial complex.


Author(s):  
Jeffry A. Simpson ◽  
Heike A. Winterheld

This chapter reviews theories and research that have adopted interactional (person-by-situation) approaches to studying close relationships. Interactional thinking in social and personality psychology is discussed from historical and contemporary perspectives, emphasizing ways in which individuals and situations intersect. Three theoretical models that adopt person-by-situation frameworks applied to important interpersonal processes are reviewed: the cognitive–affective personality system (CAPS) model, interdependence theory, and attachment theory. The chapter explains how and why person-by-situation approaches have increased our understanding of individuals within relationships. Specific research programs are highlighted. This research has revealed that certain types of situations elicit unique reactions in people with specific dispositional strengths or vulnerabilities. Collectively, these research programs indicate that one can neither predict nor understand how individuals think, feel, or behave in relationships without knowing the relational context in which they are embedded. The chapter concludes by discussing some new directions in which interactional-based thinking might head.


1978 ◽  
Vol 20 (83) ◽  
pp. 405-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Smalley

Abstract In 1899 P. A. Tutkovskiy published a theory of loess formation which depended on the presence of large continental glaciers. Unfortunately there was no glacial requirement in the theories of Berg and Richthofen and these have survived better than that of Tutkovskiy with the result that the close relationship between glacial action and loess formation is sometimes overlooked.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Tan ◽  
Christopher R. Agnew ◽  
Benjamin W. Hadden

The current research offers and examines the concept of commitment desirability, defined as the subjective desire to be involved in a committed romantic relationship at a given time. In pursuing their desire for a committed romance, how do individuals high in commitment desirability strategically ensure success? We suggest that high perceived partner commitment is sought by individuals who themselves desire to be involved in a committed relationship. In three studies involving individuals both currently involved and not involved in a relationship, we found support for the hypothesized interactive effect of commitment desirability and perceived partner commitment, such that greater commitment desirability was associated with more positive relationship outcomes, especially when partners were perceived to be high in commitment. The present research suggests that commitment desirability is a meaningful predictor of relationship attitudes and behaviors. Implications for understanding relationship commitment as well as future research directions are discussed.


1960 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 490-501
Author(s):  
Z. T. Ossefort

Abstract It has been shown that the age resistance of elastomeric vulcanizates is influenced to a very marked degree by residues formed in situ in the vulcanizate during the curing process. By a dual process of removal of these residues and incorporation of selected ingredients subsequent to vulcanization, it has been shown that age resistance (as measured by accelerated oven-aging tests at 212° F) in rubbers cured by sulfur and/or sulfur bearing accelerators, is a prime function of these residues and nearly independent of the stability of the network structure. An extremely active inhibitor is formed in situ during vulcanization of SBR and natural rubber using thiuram accelerators. This inhibitor can be used to “reinhibit” acetone-extracted accelerator-cured rubber. When added to sulfur/accelerator, peroxide, or radiation-cured vulcanizates, it improves their age resistance, but only in the case of the sulfur/accelerator cured rubber is this improvement better than with conventional inhibitors. This leads to the conclusion that the efficiency with which an inhibitor protects a vulcanizate varies widely, and conversely it appears that certain types of network structures are more readily protected or that certain inhibitors can function more efficiently in the protection of certain structures than others. In the case of natural rubber cured with TMTD (zinc oxide present), the bulk of the accelerator residue is ZnDMDC, and this residue has been shown to function as a very efficient antioxidant when incorporated into acetone-extracted, accelerator-cured vulcanizate. It is no more effective than conventional inhibitors, however, when incorporated into an acetone-extracted, sulfur/accelerator-cured vulcanizate. Finally, it has been shown that acetone extraction of the various vulcanizates may lead to improvement or worsening of their age resistance, depending upon the nature of the residues resulting from the curing process.


2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy F. Baumeister ◽  
Ellen Bratslavsky ◽  
Catrin Finkenauer ◽  
Kathleen D. Vohs

The greater power of bad events over good ones is found in everyday events, major life events (e.g., trauma), close relationship outcomes, social network patterns, interpersonal interactions, and learning processes. Bad emotions, bad parents, and bad feedback have more impact than good ones, and bad information is processed more thoroughly than good. The self is more motivated to avoid bad self-definitions than to pursue good ones. Bad impressions and bad stereotypes are quicker to form and more resistant to disconfirmation than good ones. Various explanations such as diagnosticity and salience help explain some findings, but the greater power of bad events is still found when such variables are controlled. Hardly any exceptions (indicating greater power of good) can be found. Taken together, these findings suggest that bad is stronger than good, as a general principle across a broad range of psychological phenomena.


2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
SOPHIE TAYLER ◽  
JOANA ARANTES ◽  
RANDOLPH C. GRACE

1997 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Harvey ◽  
Julia Omarzu

In this theoretical analysis, we argue that a process referred to as minding is essential for a couple to feel mutually close and satisfied in a close relationship overa long period. Minding represents a package of mutual self-disclosure, other forms of goal-oriented behavior aimed at facilitating the relationship, and attributions about self's and other's motivations, intentions, and effort in the relationship. Self-disclosure and attribution activities in minding are aimed at getting to know the other, trying to understand the other's motivations and deeper dispositions as they pertain to the relationship, and showing respect and acceptance for knowledge gained about other. We link the concept of minding to other major ideas and literatures about how couples achieve closeness: self-disclosure and social penetration, intimacy, empathy and empathic accuracy, and love and self-expansion. We argue that the minding process articulated here has not previously been delineated and that it is a useful composite notion about essential steps in bonding among humans. We also argue that the minding concept stretches our understanding of the interface of attribution and close relationships. We present research possibilities and implications and consider possible alternative positions and counterarguments about the merits of the minding idea for close relationship satisfaction.


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