Unrealistic Gendered and Relationship-Specific Beliefs: Contributions to Investments and Commitment in Dating Relationships

Abstract

This study focuses on beliefs about intimate relationships, and how these beliefs are related to individuals' experiences in ongoing romantic relationships. More specifically, we examined how unrealistic beliefs contributed to commitment and components of the investment model (rewards, costs, match to ideal comparison level, alternatives, investment size, barriers). Two types of beliefs were examined: unrealistic gendered beliefs focused on assumptions about irreconcilable differences in men and women's relational needs, whereas unrealistic relationship-specific beliefs reflected standards about perfection and mindreading in interactions with one's romantic partner. Females' unrealistic gendered beliefs and relationship-specific beliefs were associated with more alternatives, lower match to ideal comparison levels, and lower commitment. Regression analyses indicated that components of the investment model mediated the relationship between (i) commitment and gendered relationship beliefs and (ii) commitment and relationship-specific beliefs for females. Males' gendered beliefs were not related to commitment or any component of the investment model; relationship-specific beliefs were associated with greater costs and greater alternatives. No mediating effects in the relationship between commitment and relationship-specific beliefs were detected for males. The results are discussed in the context of previous research and gender socialization.

Poczucie moralności. Pięć kodów etycznych w percepcji wychowanków Młodzieżowych Ośrodków Wychowawczych

“…Podczas procesu wychowania dziewczynki uczone są interpersonalnych umiejętności oraz wyższości takich uczuć, jak: przywiązanie, bliskość, empatia, troska, odpowiedzialność za związki interpersonalne (Jacoby 1995, za: Brannon 2002, Mandal 2004. Konsekwencją zróżnicowanej ze względu na płeć socjalizacji jest uczenie dziewcząt przejmowania odpowiedzialności za relacje (związki) i pełnienie w nich funkcji opiekunek (Fitzpatrick, Sollie 1999). Mężczyźni postrzegają sytuacje związane z bliskością w kategoriach zagrożenia ich władzy oraz słabości (Mandal 2004).…”

Genç Yetişkinlerin Romantik İlişkilerinde Bağlılık Kavramının Önemi ve Bağlılığın Olası Yordayıcıları

“…To explain, there are some study findings yielding that women were more committed than men in dating relationships (Fitzpatrick & Sollie, 1999). It was reported that women were higher in investments.…”

Examining the Bidirectional Nature of Topic Avoidance and Relationship Dissatisfaction: The Moderating Role of Communication Skills

“…Though research on gender differences shows that the differences in communicative behaviors between men and women tend to be small and that there are often more differences within sexes than between them (see Dindia & Canary, 2006), disclosure and social support are two areas where communicative differences between men and women exist and are meaningful (Burleson et al, 2009;Dindia & Allen, 1992). Because women, on average, are socialized to be relationship oriented, they may be better at detecting problems in their relationships than men (Fitzpatrick & Sollie, 1999). Given that openness is often equated with healthy relationships in the United States (Petronio, 2000), people are likely to associate their own and their partner's avoidance with potential problems (Bochner, 1982;Parks, 1982) and become dissatisfied as a result.…”