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Joint Decision Making in the Contemporary Sexually Based Primary Relationship
Abstract
A fundamental premise of this chapter is that commitment to negotiation is as vital as any other kinds of commitments made by the dyadic pair. We will elaborate the validity of that proposition first, by describing the basic elements of dyadic decision making; second, by describing the basic elements of the contemporary sexually based primary relationship; third, by analyzing the ways decision making assumes a pivotal role (driving force) within that type of relationship.
... However, in dyadic decision making, the less dominant member of the dyad may simply go along with an alternative proposed by the more dominant member to preserve the relationship (Poole & Billingsley, 1989). However, even when reporting agreement, the less dominant member may disagree subjectively and hold feelings that the decision was unfair or that his or her wishes were not satisfied by the decision (Scanzoni, 1989). Given this possibility, it is hypothesized that the less dominant dyad member (the mother) would expect a less positive outcome of the decision and have greater feelings of regret than the more dominant member (the adult child, especially the son). ...
Dyadic caregiving decision making was studied in 30 mother-son and 29 mother-daughter pairs (mother's age=65-94 years) who responded to a vignette depicting a caregiving decision situation. The observed decision-making process of mother-child pairs was largely naturalistic, with few alternatives proposed and quick convergence to a decision followed by a postdecision justification; a degree of more rational decision making was seen in some pairs. Among significant findings, adult children, especially sons, dominated the decision process, doing more talking and introducing more alternatives than did their mothers, who played a more subordinate role. Mother-son pairs expected more negative outcomes and greater regrets regarding their decisions than mother-daughter pairs. Closeness of the parent-child relationship influenced the decision-making process, expected outcomes, and regrets.
As may be seen from the chapters in this volume, dyadic decision making can be approached from numerous points of view. Each view provides a well-articulated and detailed perspective on dyadic decision making. In this chapter, we will discuss general trends in the area of dyadic decision making. We will first characterize the research in several disciplines—communication, bargaining and negotiation, and family relations—that pertain to the interaction processes in dyadic decision making. We will discuss the prominent theories and methods in each field, and highlight some substantive findings that address the interaction process in dyadic decision making. We will then describe methods of data collection for studying dyadic decisions. In the third section, we will propose a research agenda for examining dyadic decision making.
Models of commitment and marital quality have traditionally focused on outcomes (measures of marital commitment, stability, and satisfaction) rather than the process (interaction dynamics) that leads to the achievement of marital stability. The purpose of this chapter is to present a model of marital commitment grounded in communication. In the model (the interaction model of marital commitment), we suggest that couples negotiate relationship roles, power currencies, and marital climate through interaction with one another. Additionally, we contend that couples’ satisfaction with the outcomes of these negotiations leads to their individual perspectives on the relationship which, in turn, impact their level of commitment to the marriage. Based upon their commitment to the relationship, spouses communicate either to maintain desired roles, power currencies, and the marital climate, or to change aspects of these outcomes with which they are dissatisfied. This leads to a continuous process of interaction, outcome, evaluation, reassessment of commitment, marital maintenance/change decisions, interaction, and so on.
Prostate cancer is a leading public health concern. Despite advances leading to early detection, the scientific community is at odds as to whether such early detection is beneficial in terms of improved survival and quality of life. Currently available treatment options carry significant side effects such as incontinence, impotence, and impaired bowel functioning. A theoretical basis for guiding decision making from the patient/family perspective is now emerging. This article details the methodological decisions made by one research team in its efforts to examine the prostate cancer treatment selection process as experienced by older couples. Selected findings are presented as they illuminate the process by which couples moved from their individual perspectives of cancer treatment options to one negotiated couple choice.
This study explored connections among perceived equity-of-influence levels, use of influence strategies, and satisfaction and commitment in marriage. Data collected from 107 married couples revealed that perceptions of equity of influence were associated with use of influence strategies, as well as perceptions of marital satisfaction and commitment. Further, wives' reported use of indirect and unilateral strategies played a more prominent role in structural models, whereas husbands' reported use of direct and bilateral strategies played a more prominent role. Also, wives' use of both indirect and unilateral strategies was associated with their husbands' commitment, whereas husbands' use of direct and bilateral strategies was associated with their wives' commitment. Results are discussed in terms of equity, power differentials, and interdependence in marriage.
This study used responses from both spouses to examine the multiple ways in which perceptions of roles and influence were related to marital commitment. Using a dyadic approach, the authors investigated four types of associations—self, cross-spouse, gender, and additive—among perceptions of role and influence quality with reports of marital commitment. Data gathered from 107 married couples revealed that when spouses saw their roles and levels of influence in the relationship as equal, fair, and satisfying, they were more likely to experience positive levels of commitment. In addition, the findings indicated that people's perceptions of commitment were associated not only by their own perceptions of roles and influence but also with the perceptions of their partners. Findings are discussed in relation to the need to take account of both spouses' perceptions when examining marital commitment.
The blurring of family and business in family businesses can create tremendous stress for all family members. Scholars have been unsuccessful in applying task-oriented, business-based models to a business in which the boundaries between task and family blur and overlap. This article integrates current research and theory related to family interaction, organizational dynamics, and family businesses to present a conceptual framework that details the complex inner workings of family businesses and helps guide those who study and work with them.
The purpose of this study was to explore communication patterns between long-term married couples to better understand the process by which later-life couples participate in health promotion. Forty community-residing couples married for 30 years or longer were asked to respond to open-ended questions and to participate in a decision-making activity. The majority of couples made health decisions jointly, with wives acting as the final deciders 54% of the time. Most couples used positive communication strategies during a structured scenario. Findings highlight the importance of expanding beyond traditional individual-focused models to include joint decision-making processes. Implications for future research and for nursing practice are discussed.
This paper establishes some definitions of entropy and information
in the context of biological complexity. It is a trial on unifying ideas
from Shanon's information theory and thermodynamics, providing a
coherent set of definitions, in order to help out in the understanding
of biological complexity. The main contribution is a precise definition
of complexity, distinguishing structural complexity from functional
complexity
Drawing on a variety of literatures, we suggest a process-oriented approach to marital/familial decision making. A set of concepts and measures are presented and tested on a sample of advantaged couples. Substantive results are encouraging, suggesting that the approach has utility and probably would be even more illuminating if applied to a more heterogeneous sample.
Pervasive secularization has apparently eroded any contemporary connections between religious and work orientations among males. However, the results of this study, using samples of college females, show a connection between religious devoutness and expected paid labor force continuity among women. Through the use of path analysis the conclusion reached is that enhanced devoutness depresses future work expectations as mediated by certain intervening variables. Thus, irrespective of denominational label, being more devout (less secular) apparently tends to reduce college women's expected continuity in the labor force.
The issue of order and disorder within the conjugal family is examined from the standpoint of the four elements of family organization and interaction suggested by Bell and Vogel. A sample of existing marriages is compared with a sample of dissolved marriages over economic-, community-, authority-, and ideological-type variables. Existing marriages were characterized by greater convergence over economic- and community-type variables and lesser conflict and greater compromise than dissolved marriages. There was similarity between the two groups in terms of ideological factors. The study is exploratory in nature, and its conclusions are to be considered hypotheses for further testing.
Rapid increases in the number of unmarried couples living together have raised numerous questions about the relationship between cohabitation and marriage. An important unexplored question is the extent to which couples who marry cohabit prior to marriage. This study uses marriage license application data to answer this question. All applications in Lane County, Oregon, in 1970 and 1980 were coded; applicant brides and grooms who reported identical home addresses were considered premarital cohabitants. The data indicate that premarital cohabitation in the county increased from 13% to 53% during the decade. Trends and differentials for demographic subgroups are compared to national estimates. Hypotheses that premarital cohabitants were less homogamous and delayed first marriages longer than noncohabitants were supported. The high proportion of married couples who lived together prior to marriage suggests that premarital cohabitation may be a new normative step leading to marriage.
This book addresses different ways of thinking about families and marriages and close relationships. Prior to our collaboration, each author had been struggling alone to discover ways to understand better what is, and is not, actually occurring within those rapidly changing realms. Throughout the past four years we have struggled together to come up with what we believe is a fresh way to view the contemporary scene—a way that will be useful for instructors and students in the classroom, for researchers and theorists, for program planners, as well as for clinicians and public policy personnel. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The state of American families in the 1980s is examined in the light of a series of issues regarding the paradigm currently prevailing within family studies. On the basis of those issues, the question is raised whether or not an alternative perspective might more validly describe currently emerging family-type empirical realities. The outlines of such a perspective are described, drawing on the emerging cross-disciplinary focus on close or primary relationships.
This article constitutes the second part of a discussion of the diffusion of Simmel's thought within the American sociological community initiated in the January issue of this Journal. His influence is traced with respect to the metropolitan mentality, small groups, interpersonal knowledge, conflict, and exchange. Different levels and historical functions of the appropriation of Simmel's work are identified in conclusion.
Reference is made to the literature showing that marital commitment (defined by Becker as a “bet” on the future) has been strongly affected by variables such as love/caring and positive conflict resolution. The issue raised in this study is whether, given the continuing changes in female/male relationships over the past 20 years, additional factors stemming from those gender-based changes might gradually become part of a syndrome affecting the nature of the marital bond. This syndrome of factors includes gender role preferences, religious devoutness, and locus of control in marriage. Theoretical arguments supporting this gradual evolutionary emergence are presented along with an exploratory study suggesting propositions to be tested in future research—preferably within a life course perspective.
The twenty year history of the construct known variously as "permanent availability," "universal availability," and "permanence/pragmatism" is traced to the present. Second, the latter construct is connected to the emerging research tradition that Holman and Burr label as the "causes and consequences of divorce." Third, based on data collected from college students, an index of permanence/pragmatism in close relationship (PPCR) is constructed, and its reliability and validity established. Construct validity is ascertained empirically by identifying two dimenstions-religious devoutness and gender role preference- that the literature indicates should excercise influence on PPCR. Reliability of these patterns is enhanced through replication on a separate sample. A theoretical case is made for the index's predictive validity by showing its importance in research designs assessing dyadic commitment and stability/instability. The significance of the PPCR notion for both research and clinical applications is discussed.
Provides a theoretical model for a behavioral conceptualization of marriage based on learning principles and a view of relationships as mutual behavior shaping. (4½ p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Proposes a model of social systems based on general systems research, cybernetics, and information and communication theory. Contains reviews and critiques of important sociological approaches. Harvard Book List (edited) 1971 #677 (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1984. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-95). Microfilm (negative) of typescript. s
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