Lecture - Adult Relationship Slides.pdf

Caregiver/Adult Relationships PSYC348 Lecturer: Jenna van Deurs Questions: vevox.app(ID:183-070-161) Social Exchange Theory • A sociological theory, developed by Homans & others. • Social behaviour is based on an exchange process (give and take) • There is a trade-off between the benefits & costs...

Caregiver/Adult Relationships PSYC348 Lecturer: Jenna van Deurs Questions: vevox.app(ID:183-070-161) Social Exchange Theory • A sociological theory, developed by Homans & others. • Social behaviour is based on an exchange process (give and take) • There is a trade-off between the benefits & costs • The evaluation of benefits vs costs determines whether a relationship is maintained • A bank account model Social Learning Theory & Relationships • Each spouse’s behaviour in a marital relationship can be viewed largely as a function of the consequences provided for that behaviour by the partner. The tendency to emit rewarding behaviour as opposed to punishing behaviour … one’s subjective feelings of satisfaction with a relationship, and one’s tendency to remain in a relationship are all viewed as functions of the environmental consequences provided by the partner. • … the marital relationship is best thought of as a process of circular and reciprocal sequences of behaviour and consequences, where each person’s behaviour is at once being affected by and influencing the other. Jacobson & Margolin (1979) Marital therapy: Strategies based on social learning & behavior exchange principles (p12 -13) The Challenge of Change Change leads potentially to costs: • Long-term relationships must adapt and change. • Change may be required by both internal and external factors – personal development, spouse development, life events (+ve & -ve). • The transition from couplehood to parenthood tends to reduce relationship satisfaction. 2021 General Social Survey (GSS) Family type Total population(1) Measure Estimate (percent) Couple without child(ren) Estimate (percent) Couple with One parent with Not in a child(ren) child(ren) family nucleus Estimate (percent) Estimate (percent) Estimate (percent) Quality time with spouse/partner living in the same household A lot 47.2 63.8 34.3 ... ... Some 50.3 35.1 62.2 ... ... None 2.5 1.2 3.6 ... ... https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/wellbeing-statistics-2021-supplementary/#download-data Conflict • Demand for change may precipitate conflict. • Conflict is inevitable – key is how it is managed Stages of Conflict 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Conflicts of interest Stressful circumstances Precipitating events Engagement vs avoidance. If engagement… Interaction: +ve engagement vs –ve engagement (e.g., demand-withdrawal/ coercion Immediate outcome Return to normal [Christensen & Pasch (1993). The sequence of marital conflict: an analysis of seven phases of marital conflict in distressed and nondistressed couples. Clinical Psychology Review, 13, 3-14.] Unresolved Conflict & Coercion • Unresolved conflict may set the scene for the development of coercion - “pain control” – using aversive behaviour such as: • Complaining/nagging • Criticism/sarcasm • Threats • Putdowns • Withholding affection/sex • Violence (verbal/physical) Consequences of Unresolved Conflict & Coercion • Generalisation & escalation • Anger, depression, dislike (complier) • Avoidance • Reduction in positive exchanges • Costs of being in relationship grow relative to benefits • Other relationships appear more beneficial • Become sensitive to rate of negative events & less to positive events • Thinking style includes over-generalisation, and mind reading John Gottman’s Research (1970s present) • Multi-method approach • Observations (at lab, in homes) • Self-report (e.g., questionnaires) • Interviews (e.g., what participants were thinking & feeling in that moment) • Physiological measures (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance, motor movements) Ratio of positive to negative exchanges during conflict resolutions • Using his Rapid Couples Interaction Scoring System (RCISS), Gottman coded the ratio of positive to negative exchanges during a 15-min interaction • Low risk group = more positive exchanges (+/- 5:1) • High risk group = more negative exchanges (+/- 0.8:1) • Based on this grouping, marital outcome was predicted with 75% accuracy 4 years later The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Criticism Defensiveness Contempt Stonewalling Adding these negative behaviours increased the prediction accuracy of marital outcome to 82% Other Predictors of Relationship Breakdowns • • • • • Less effective repair attempts Harsh start ups Pervasive negative thoughts Flooding Emotional disengagement • Research shows the same processes predict outcomes for same-sex couples • Differences = lower physiological arousal & hostile communication as well as increased humour & affection during interactions Relationship Therapy • To create strong, lasting relationships couples need to increase positive affect and reduce negative affect during conflict The Foundation • Build Love Maps • Being knowledgeable about your partner’s world • Share Fondness & Admiration • Noticing qualities in your partner that you cherish • Turn Towards Instead of Away • Being attuned and responsive to your partner’s bids for attention, affection, or support The Positive Perspective • Positive Sentiment Override (PSO) • A negative exchange is viewed neutrally, leading to an emotionally intelligent response • Negative Sentiment Override (NSO) • A neutral exchange is viewed negatively, leading to Four Horsemen communication styles • Both parties need to be able to engage in PSO Managing Conflict • Soften start-up • Make & receive repair attempts • Self-soothe & soothe each other • Compromise • Process grievance Making Life Dreams Come True • Unrealised dreams often underlie unsolvable conflicts • Couples need to understand each other’s dreams & compromise when they can to overcome gridlock • E.g., identify non-negotiables & flexibility & create a plan which acknowledges both people’s dreams Create Shared Meaning • Create rituals of connection • Support each other’s roles • Shared goals • Shared values & symbols Activity “When Derick arrived home from work without the groceries Sally had asked him to pick up, she denounced him angrily for his error and complained that dinner would be late, the children’s homework and bed time would be delayed, and the “evening would be ruined.” Derick apologized for his error but attacked Sally for “making such a big deal out of a simple mistake.” Sally explained that it was not just this error that upset her, but his general failure to take more responsibility for household tasks. Derick defended his record and charged that Sally was compulsive with all household matters. They argued back and forth for 10 minutes before Derick stormed out to pick up take-out food for dinner.” [Christensen & Pasch (1993). The sequence of marital conflict: an analysis of seven phases of marital conflict in distressed and non-distressed couples. Clinical Psychology Review, 13, 3-14.]