Relationship theories and relationship violence: The benefits of believing in soulmates

Individuals hold implicit beliefs about the nature of romantic relationships. Growth beliefs are characterized by thoughts that romantic relationships can be cultivated over time, whereas destiny beliefs are characterized by thoughts that relationships are either meant to be or not. In the current research, we propose that individuals who hold strong growth beliefs (but not destiny beliefs) should be more likely to experience self-expansion, as these individuals are oriented toward relationship cultivation. In turn, this increase in self-expansion should promote greater relationship quality and maintenance. Across three studies (two cross-sectional and one longitudinal) that sampled from varying populations and relationship types, we found evidence that self-expansion mediates the association between growth beliefs (but not destiny beliefs) and satisfaction, commitment, accommodation, and dissolution consideration. These data provide insights into the mechanisms by which implicit theories influence relationship functioning and establish implicit theories as an individual-level antecedent to the self-expansion experience.

Section: Implicit Theories Of Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implicit theories of relationships and self-expansion: Implications for relationship functioning

Mattingly

McIntyre

Knee

et al. 2018

“…The endorsement of romantic beliefs has been associated with positive outcomes such as feelings of love and liking for a partner, feelings of passion, falling in love faster, relationship satisfaction, agreement with a partner on relationship issues, and relationship longevity (Barelds & Dijkstra, 2009; Jones & Cunningham, 1996; Niehuis, 2006; Sprecher & Metts, 1989; Swami & Furnham, 2008). However, endorsement of romantic beliefs also has been linked to negative outcomes, such as lower relationship commitment, lower relationship satisfaction, perceiving more costs associated with the relationship, increased use of passive or disengaging coping strategies during relationship conflict, and experience and perpetration of relationship violence (Fitzpatrick & Sollie, 1999; Franiuk, Shain, Bieritz, & Murray, 2012; Stackert & Bursik, 2003). Other research has reported mixed results of both positive and negative relationships outcomes (Knee, Nanyakkara, Vietor, & Patrick, 2001; Knox & Sporakowski, 1968; Sprecher & Metts, 1999).…”

Section: Romantic Beliefs and Relationship Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passion, connection, and destiny

Vannier

O’Sullivan

2016

Romantic beliefs (e.g., love at first sight and soul mates) are common among young people, however, these beliefs are thought to create unrealistic expectations for romantic relationships. The current study assessed the romantic beliefs, romantic expectations, and relationship outcomes (satisfaction and commitment) of 270 young adults (aged 18–28 years) who were involved in dating relationships. Romantic beliefs were associated with greater satisfaction and commitment, whereas unmet romantic expectations were associated with lower satisfaction and commitment. Of note, the endorsement of romantic beliefs was not linked to unmet expectations. Thus, romantic beliefs do not appear to foster false or unobtainable expectations for romantic relationships, and the concerns regarding the endorsement of these beliefs may be misplaced. Individual differences (age, gender, and relationship experience) did not predict romantic beliefs or expectations. The results are discussed with regard to implications for promoting relationship commitment and satisfaction.

“…In addition, those induced to hold beliefs consistent with a destiny mind-set and who felt that they were not with their soul mates paid more attention to negative information about that person, whereas those induced to hold beliefs consistent with a growth mind-set did not differentiate among partners based on fit in terms of attention to negative information (Franiuk et al, 2004). Stronger destiny beliefs, compared to weaker destiny beliefs, have also been associated with experiencing interpersonal violence, but only for long-term relationships in which there is low perceived partner fit (Franiuk, Shain, Bieritz, & Murray, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ghosting and destiny: Implicit theories of relationships predict beliefs about ghosting

Freedman

Powell

et al. 2018

112

Two studies examined how implicit theories of relationships are associated with ghosting (i.e., ending a relationship by cutting off all contact). Previous research on implicit theories of relationships has identified two types of beliefs, destiny and growth, and the present research examines how these implicit theories are associated with ghosting perceptions, intentions, and behaviors. Study 1 was an exploratory study conducted on Mechanical Turk that focused on romantic relationships (N = 554). Study 2 was a confirmatory study conducted on Prolific Academic that aimed to replicate the romantic relationship findings and extended the research to friendships (N = 747). Stronger destiny beliefs, compared to weaker destiny beliefs, were positively associated with feeling more positively toward ghosting, having stronger ghosting intentions, and having previously used ghosting to terminate relationships. Stronger growth beliefs, compared to weaker growth beliefs, showed the opposite pattern with perceptions of acceptability and intentions to use ghosting. Taken together, the present research provides an important first step in understanding how implicit theories relate to relationship termination strategies and, specifically, the process of ghosting.