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Using a cognitive dissonance framework, this research tried to identify predictors of openness toward divorce and trivialization of wedding vows. Using single undergraduates, Study 1 showed that those reminded of traditional (divorce-inconsistent) wedding vows reported less openness toward divorce than those not reminded (possibly indicative of dis...
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... As SNS seem to be filled with attractive individuals who have a pleasant personality and attractive lifestyle, alternative partners on SNS may be perceived as rather ideal and their traits may be compared in an upward fashion to the traits of one's own partner (Steers, Wickham, & Acitelli, 2014). The outcome of this romantic comparison may influence general relational attitudes (Stalder, 2012) and perceptions about their current partner (Surra & Hughes, 1997) in a negative direction. Such romantic comparison processes can lead to the impression that the current relationship brings more costs than benefits. ...
... Our results further indicate that engaging in romantic comparison processes is not necessarily linked to lower relationship commitment. This finding is in contrast with existing research claiming that comparing one's current partner to the ideal partners may be harmful for one's relationship commitment (Stalder, 2012). Pursuing of alternative partners thus seemed to be a more important explanatory factor in the relationship between exposure to alternative partners on SNS and relationship commitment than romantic comparison. ...
Although previous findings suggest a link between adults' use of social networking sites (SNS) and relationship commitment, research has been lacking. This study of 427 emerging and young adults (aged 18–32 years, 71.20% female) indicated that exposure to alternative partners on SNS was indirectly related to relationship commitment through the pursuing of alternative partners on SNS. The more frequently they were exposed to alternative partners on SNS, the more they engaged in pursuing these alternative partners, which negatively affected their relationship commitment. Furthermore, a positive relation between exposure and romantic comparison to alternative partners was found. Gender did not moderate these relations. The discussion focuses on the implications of the findings for relationship development.
... In Western cultures, individuals not only compare themselves to others (e.g., Lockwood, 2002;Tesser & Collins, 1988) and to their dating partner (e.g., Lockwood, Dolderman, Sadler, & Gerchak, 2004), but they also compare their romantic partner and the state of their relationship to others (Buunk, 2001;Buunk et al., 2001;Morry & Sucharyna, 2016). These relationship social comparisons can be used to assess the suitability of the partner; feelings and experiences in the relationship (Surra & Milardo, 1991); or to evaluate one's beliefs about close relationships (e.g., divorce; Stalder, 2012). ...
People frequently share information about their intimate relationships on Facebook and this information can be used by other users as material for romantic social comparisons. In a pilot study, participants indicated that photos, communication between the individuals in the couple, and indications of support were important for relationship comparisons. How individuals interpret relationship comparisons when exposed to a friend’s or acquaintance’s Facebook profile can impact the self and one’s relationship. Two experiments manipulated upward and downward relationship comparisons using mocked-up Facebook profiles of a young, attractive, heterosexual couple. That is, participants were exposed to the equivalent of an acquaintance’s Facebook profile. Manipulated comparison direction predicted individual’s relationship social comparison interpretations (RSCI). Direct effects of the RSCI and indirect effects of the manipulated comparison direction through RSCI on relationship quality, attention to alternatives, and personal well-being were found indicating that how individuals interpreted the relationship comparison was important. Individuals may react more strongly to comparisons with close others as opposed to distant others (Tesser, 1988), suggesting that comparisons with actual friends on Facebook could have a larger impact. Future research will continue to examine how online relationship comparisons to friends may influence long-term consequences of these interpretations (e.g., stay/leave decisions).
... With the increasing popularity of social media sites, relationship comparisons to a close other may become more common. Social network comparisons help to evaluate one's beliefs about close relationships (e.g., divorce; Stalder, 2012) as well as suitability of the partner and feelings and experiences in the relationship (Surra & Milardo, 1991). These social comparisons may also influence the attention paid to relationship alternatives and responses to a partner's bad behavior. ...
Social comparisons are common in dating relationships. We examined individuals' cognitive interpretations (e.g., hope for the future or one's own relationship is not doing well) after an upward, downward, or lateral social comparison to a friend's dating relationship. Exploratory factor analyses indicated three factors in the Relationship Social Comparison Interpretation scale (RSCI): negative interpretations, positive upward interpretations, and positive downward interpretations (Studies 1 and 2). Hierarchical regressions controlling for comparison direction and individual differences in relationship social comparison orientation indicated that the RSCI was associated with relationship satisfaction, commitment, and positive and negative affect (Studies 1 and 2). There were also direct and indirect effects (through relationship quality) of the RSCI, with attention to alternatives and accommodation behaviors (Study 2).
... We assume that, in the perspective of the couple, important norms with respect to divorce might be derived from the patterns of behavior prevalent in the couple's network. Thus, if divorce is a frequent occurrence in the couple's network, the couple is expected to divorce more easily, because common rules tolerate it, even if one is initially less open for divorce (Stalder, 2011). On the other hand, if divorce is not very frequent in the couple's network, the couple is expected to stay together because divorce is, possibly, less accepted. ...
Previous research on the dissolution of long-term romantic relationships has mostly focused on determinants that reflect either the characteristics of the individual partners or the characteristics of the relationship itself. The role of the social context in which couples are embedded has received less attention. This study assesses the association between three characteristics of the social context and the dissolution of long-term romantic relationships simultaneously: the prevalence of divorce in the network of the couple, the extent to which the networks of partners overlap each other, and the amount of social capital in the network of the couple. Using nationally representative panel data from the first and second waves of the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study, partial support was found for the link between the prevalence of divorce and network overlap on the one hand, and the likelihood to dissolve long-term romantic relationships on the other hand, among a sample of 3406 married and 648 unmarried cohabiting respondents. The association with social capital was found to differ between married and unmarried cohabiting respondents, as well as to depend upon the type of relationship the social capital is based in. These findings were interpreted to reflect differences in the symbolic meanings of marital and cohabiting relationships, and differences in types of social capital to which a person has access: relationship-specific versus non-relationship-specific social capital, with the former potentially impeding dissolution, and the latter potentially acting as an alternative to the relationship, thereby encouraging dissolution.
Pluralistic ignorance occurs when group members mistakenly believe others’ cognitions and/or behaviors are systematically different from their own. More than 20 years have passed since the last review of pluralistic ignorance from a psychological framework, with more than 60 empirical articles assessing pluralistic ignorance published since then. Previous reviews took an almost entirely conceptual approach with minimal review of methodology, making existing reviews outdated and limited in the extent to which they can provide guidelines for researchers. The goal of this review is to evaluate and integrate the literature on pluralistic ignorance, clarify important conceptual issues, identify inconsistencies in the literature, and provide guidance for future research. We provide a comprehensive definition for the phenomenon, with a focus on its status as a group-level phenomenon. We highlight three areas of variation in particular in the current scoping review: variation in topics assessed, variation in measurement, and (especially) variation in methods for assessing the implications of individual-level misperceptions that, in aggregate, lead to pluralistic ignorance. By filling these gaps in the literature, we ultimately hope to motivate further analysis of the phenomenon.
In this chapter, we discuss the process of working with individuals and couples in therapy who are deciding to continue or end their marriage or committed relationship. We provide a summary of the primary theoretical foundations of research and clinical work with this population. We also present primary research on predictors of relationship dissolution, relationship ambivalence, commitment uncertainty, and divorce ideation before providing an overview of the primary clinical modalities used with those in the divorce/separation decision‐making process. Two assessments are provided to aid systemic therapists in their work. The chapter includes an analysis of ethics salient to working with those deciding whether or not to end their relationship. We conclude with a brief discussion of future directions for research in this area.
In this chapter, we discuss the process of working with individuals and couples in therapy who are deciding to continue or end their marriage or committed relationship. We provide a summary of the primary theoretical foundations of research and clinical work with this population. We also present primary research on predictors of relationship dissolution, relationship ambivalence, commitment uncertainty, and divorce ideation before providing an overview of the primary clinical modalities used with those in the divorce/separation decision‐making process. Two assessments are provided to aid systemic therapists in their work. The chapter includes an analysis of ethics salient to working with those deciding whether or not to end their relationship. We conclude with a brief discussion of future directions for research in this area.
