Relationship Expectations and Relationship Quality

Abstract

This article reviews research that examines the effects of relationship expectations on interpersonal relationships. Most of the published research suggests that positive relationship expectations are associated with better interpersonal functioning, as indicated by greater relationship persistence, more positive relationship evaluations and motivations, more prorelationship behavior, more forgiveness, and reduced contempt. Research on related constructs, such as relationship efficacy, implicit theories, trust, and insecurity dispositions, suggests a similar conclusion. However, there is some evidence that positive relationship expectations may sometimes have negative effects on healthy relationship functioning. A model of the multiple pathways through which relationship expectations may promote and threaten relationship quality is described, and several directions for future research are suggested.

The way I see you. Implicit followership theories explored through the lens of attachment.

“…Specifically, our findings suggest that attachment experiences from close relationships influence how leaders think of followers, and that underlying mechanisms include both a general effect (i.e., schema transference) and an additional effect that only involves avoidant leaders (i.e., defensive projection). This study is aligned with research on related psychological concepts, such as relationship expectations, relationship attributions, trust, and insecurity dispositions, finding that positive expectations, with a few exceptions, are associated with better interpersonal functioning (Lemay & Venaglia, 2016).…”

Dispositional contempt: A first look at the contemptuous person.

“…Interestingly, in intergroup contexts, it is attachment anxiety, not avoidance, that has been related to hostile and avoidant reactions to outgroup members (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2001). Testing associations with both attachment dimensions would clarify the relational dynamics of contempt-proneness and help us understand the interpersonal motivations, expectations, and schemas that contempt-prone individuals bring to relationships (see also Lemay & Venaglia, in press). …”

What if they are right? Network approval, expectations, and relationship maintenance behaviors

“…Lemay (2016, p. 48) stated that "people pursue relationships that are expected to bring pleasure." Indeed, positive relationship expectations tend to enhance the functioning of romantic relationships (Burnette, McCullough, Van Tongeren, & Davis, 2012;Helgeson, 1994;Lemay, 2016;Lemay, Lin, & Muir, 2015;Lemay & Venaglia, 2016;Murray & Holmes, 1997). Studies have shown that constructive relationship behaviors are often guided by positive mental representations of the future (Baker, McNulty, & VanderDrift, 2017;Lemay, 2016;Lemay et al, 2015).…”

“…Decision‐making theories posit that expectations for the future play a central role in shaping behavioral responses in interpersonal situations, such as romantic relationships (Gilbert & Wilson, ; Scheier & Carver, ). Lemay (, p. 48) stated that “people pursue relationships that are expected to bring pleasure.” Indeed, positive relationship expectations tend to enhance the functioning of romantic relationships (Burnette, McCullough, Van Tongeren, & Davis, ; Helgeson, ; Lemay, ; Lemay, Lin, & Muir, ; Lemay & Venaglia, ; Murray & Holmes, ). Studies have shown that constructive relationship behaviors are often guided by positive mental representations of the future (Baker, McNulty, & VanderDrift, ; Lemay, ; Lemay et al, ).…”

“…Drawing on uncertainty reduction theory (Berger, 1986(Berger, , 2011 and theoretical models in decision making (Gilbert & Wilson, 2007;Scheier & Carver, 1985), we argue that relationship cognitions, such as expectations of how a partner is likely to behave in the future, could be major linking variables in the process through which social network approval influences relationship behavioral outcomes. Prior research has suggested that social network approval is related to positive relationship expectations (Parks, Stan, & Eggert, 1983), which have been shown to be associated with increased relationship stability, greater commitment, and more pro-relationship behaviors (for a review, see Lemay & Venaglia, 2016). Based on these findings and considering the complex interdependent process of influence on romantic relationships (Ackerman, Donnellan, & Kashy, 2011), the goal of the current study was to examine the mediating role of expectations of partners in the association between perceived social network approval and relationship maintenance behaviors among emerging adults at both the intrapersonal (actor) and interpersonal (partner) levels.…”