Positive marital illusions and culture: American and Turkish spouses' perceptions of their marriages

Abstract

This study investigated the degree to which positive illusions about one's spouse and marriage are a universal feature of human cognitions about marriage or are culturally moderated. Positive marital illusions were compared across three samples (49 American spouses, 58 Turkish spouses in nonconsanguineous marriages, and 56 Turkish spouses in consanguineous marriages). Positive illusions were assessed by comparing positive and negative trait ratings of the spouse and the generalized other. The positive trait ratings were consistent with the cultural moderation hypothesis and inconsistent with the universal account. The three groups differed in how positively they rated the generalized other. The negative trait ratings supported the universal theory of positive illusions. These results add to the growing evidence that culture moderates positive illusions.

Idealization and Disillusionment in Intimate Relationships: A Review of Theory, Method, and Research

“…In contrast, the Japanese sample revealed evidence of relationship effacement, in which scores on the negative aspects of one's own partner and romantic relationship were higher than scores for the average person and average relationship. Fowers, Fisiloglu, and Procacci (2008) examined differences in idealization among the following three groups: American married individuals and Turkish individuals either from consanguineous (''marriages between members of the same extended family,'' p. 271) or from nonconsanguineous marriages. Contrary to Endo et al (2000), Fowers, Fisiloglu, et al found a cultural difference when participants were asked to rate their partner on positive aspects.…”

“…Instruments that assess personality or personal attributes are commonly used to generate self-ratings and partner ratings (e.g., Murray & Holmes, 1997, 1999Neff & Karney, 2002). Another way to obtain difference scores is to compare individuals' reports of their partners and/or relationships with their reports of average or ideal partners and/or relationships (e.g., Endo et al, 2000;Fowers, Fisiloglu, et al, 2008). As Fowers, Veingrad, et al (2002) have correctly noted, ''there is no gold standard for assessing a relationship that captures an unambiguous reality against which a partner's perception of the relationship could be evaluated to assess 'distortion''' (p. 450).…”

“…Instruments that assess personality or personal attributes are commonly used to generate self‐ratings and partner ratings (e.g., Murray & Holmes, 1997, 1999; Neff & Karney, 2002). Another way to obtain difference scores is to compare individuals' reports of their partners and/or relationships with their reports of average or ideal partners and/or relationships (e.g., Endo et al, 2000; Fowers, Fisiloglu, et al, 2008).…”

“…The findings on gender differences in idealization are mixed. Some studies have found evidence for gender differences (Murray & Holmes, 1997; Murray, Holmes, & Griffin, 1996b; Rusbult et al, 2000), whereas others have not (e.g., Fowers, Fisiloglu, et al, 2008; Martz et al, 1998; Miller, Caughlin, et al, 2003). Studies that found gender differences consistently reported that women idealized their partner more than men did.…”

“…Fowers, Fisiloglu, and Procacci (2008) examined differences in idealization among the following three groups: American married individuals and Turkish individuals either from consanguineous (“marriages between members of the same extended family,” p. 271) or from nonconsanguineous marriages. Contrary to Endo et al (2000), Fowers, Fisiloglu, et al found a cultural difference when participants were asked to rate their partner on positive aspects.…”