Relationship Dynamics and Support

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Questions and Answers

What characteristic is emphasized as crucial for relationship partners to sustain instrumentality over time?

Long-term commitment

Financial stability

Responsiveness and motivation to support (correct)

Knowledge of specific skills

How can a non-expert partner assist in achieving a goal like running a marathon?

By offering advanced training tips

By creating a strict training schedule

By providing logistical support like childcare (correct)

By running at a competitive pace

What is a potential negative effect of a partner being perceived as a means to multiple goals?

Improvement in communication skills

Increase in partner dependency

Reduction in relationship closeness

Decreased perceived instrumentality for specific goals (correct)

What is one way a partner could support someone training for a marathon?

By providing encouragement and support on race day Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics may NOT be sufficient for a partner to be instrumental in achieving a goal?

Having specific expertise in goal-related skills Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'dilution principle' suggest regarding a partner serving multiple functions?

It may reduce the perceived significance of specific roles. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT describe a non-expert partner's potential contributions?

Providing income stability Signup and view all the answers

What overall effect might a multi-functional partner have on a romantic relationship?

Increased feelings of closeness Signup and view all the answers

What factor increases the likelihood of relationship dissolution according to the content?

Changing one's personal goals Signup and view all the answers

How does losing a partner affect a person's goal pursuit?

It can cause disruptions in goal progress. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about individuals who were highly dependent on their spouse when faced with loss?

They may experience more anxiety than those less dependent. Signup and view all the answers

What do individuals typically have to decide after losing a partner who was instrumental to their goals?

To locate new means to those goals or alter their goals. Signup and view all the answers

What role does a partner's perceived value play in infidelity according to the content?

People may commit infidelity with lower valued partners if they perceive them as alternatives. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a partner serves more goals for an individual?

The loss is typically felt more acutely. Signup and view all the answers

What tends to happen in the wake of losing a partner?

Alternative partners may attempt to fill the void left by the lost partner. Signup and view all the answers

How do changing contexts like moving to a new city affect relationships?

They can increase the likelihood of ending relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What could happen if a person perceives dilution in their partner's ability to fulfill a goal?

They may stop looking to the partner for fulfillment of the goal. Signup and view all the answers

In what context is dilution less likely to occur?

When partners are well-known to each other. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a result of early impressions from online dating, according to the content?

They can differ significantly from impressions formed later. Signup and view all the answers

How does appreciation for instrumental partners change over time?

It tends to wane once the immediate goal is achieved. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is presented in maintaining interpersonal closeness according to the content?

Transforming fleeting appreciation into lasting sentiments. Signup and view all the answers

Which factors are mentioned as mitigating the dilution effect?

Compatibility of goals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the research imply about partners in lasting relationships and the dilution effect?

They are less likely to experience dilution. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential implication for online dating websites based on the content?

They may misrepresent partners' abilities to fulfill multiple goals. Signup and view all the answers

What does affection exchange theory primarily investigate?

The role of affection in interpersonal communication Signup and view all the answers

Which concept suggests that longer acquaintance leads to decreased bias in selecting partners based on attractiveness?

Long-term acquaintance effect Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of providing support to a loved one, as discussed in the psychological research?

Enhanced sense of personal well-being Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism does Johnson and Rusbult's study suggest helps maintain commitment in relationships?

Devaluation of alternative partners Signup and view all the answers

In the context of memory bias, what does the research by Karremans et al. find regarding individuals in romantic relationships?

Their memory of attractive faces is less accurate Signup and view all the answers

Kavanagh et al. describe a concept that acts like a double-edged sword in romantic relationships. What is this concept called?

The mating sociometer Signup and view all the answers

According to Inagaki and Orehek, what are some potential benefits of giving social support?

Greater emotional fulfillment Signup and view all the answers

What does the multifinality constraints effect, described by Köpetz et al., indicate about goal multiplicity?

It may simplify the means available to reach a primary goal Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Shah, Friedman, and Kruglanski's 2002 study on goal shielding?

The antecedents and consequences of goal shielding Signup and view all the answers

Which article discusses bottom-up priming of goals?

When opportunity knocks: Bottom-up priming of goals Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is explored in the study by Slotter, Gardner, and Finkel in 2010?

How romantic breakup impacts one's self-concept Signup and view all the answers

Which author examines the role of goal pursuit in friendship formation?

Slotter, Gardner, and Finkel Signup and view all the answers

According to the research presented, what is likely a consequence of goal shielding?

Reduced effectiveness in achieving main goals Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the 2005 study by Sheeran et al. focus on specifically?

Automaticity of drinking habits related to goals Signup and view all the answers

Which publication looks into spousal alternatives and their relationship with marital dissolution?

Marital alternatives and marital disruption Signup and view all the answers

What theme is explored in the article by South and Lloyd (1995)?

The relationship between marital alternatives and disruption Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Instrumental Relationship Partners

Partners who can adapt to various goals are highly valuable due to their responsiveness and motivation to help.
Possessing specific skills or expertise enhances instrumentality but is inadequate without the desire to support a partner's goals.

Examples of Instrumentality

An expert marathoner can aid in training for a marathon, but a non-expert can support through childcare, laundry, or encouragement, proving that support comes in different forms.

Multifinality and Dilution of Perception

A partner perceived as instrumental for one goal can lose visibility for that role if they become instrumental in multiple areas; this is known as dilution.
For instance, a romantic partner can initially be seen as a fun date but may become diluted in that role as they also contribute to household, financial tasks, and parenting.

Impact of Online Dating on Perception

Individuals meeting partners through online platforms may perceive dilution incorrectly, leading to overly pessimistic evaluations of a partner’s potential to serve multiple goals.
Early encounters often yield different impressions than those formed over time, highlighting the importance of longer acquaintance.

Appreciation and Relationship Dynamics

Recognition of an instrumental partner's contributions might diminish after the achievement of a goal, which poses challenges for maintaining long-term relational closeness.
Individuals may seek alternatives if they feel a current partner no longer aligns with changing personal goals.

Relationship Loss and Its Effects

Losing a partner equates to losing a means to achieve various goals, which can lead to heightened feelings of loss and anxiety, especially for those highly dependent on that partner.
Individuals experience disruptions in goal progress after a breakup, prompting the need to find new partners or redefine goals.

Anxiety and Dependence

Widowed individuals who were highly dependent on their spouses report more anxiety due to lost instrumentality.
The shift in context and goals can lead to reconsiderations of partnerships, potentially leading to breakups or the formation of new goals altogether.

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Description

Explore the qualities that enhance partnerships, focusing on adaptability, responsiveness, and motivation in achieving both known and unknown goals. This quiz delves into the characteristics that sustain instrumentality over time in relationships.