The role of attachment‐related individual differences in goal adoption for serial arguments

Abstract

This study investigated the relations between attachment‐related individual differences and the adoption of interpersonal goals for conflict in romantic relationships. Additionally, it used the truth and bias model to examine how biased and accurate people are in judging their partner's endorsement of conflict goals, as well as how attachment‐related individual differences moderate this bias and accuracy. Ninety‐four romantic couples completed a measure of attachment‐related individual differences and self ‐ and informant reports of interpersonal conflict goals. Results revealed that individuals endorsed conflict goals consistent with their attachment orientations. Furthermore, they displayed biases when estimating their partner's goals, with some of these biases relating to attachment orientations. These results suggest that attachment‐related individual differences may partially guide conflict‐related goals and partner perceptions.

“Are You Doing What I Think You’re Doing?” Momentary Goal Projection and Goal Contagion in Romantic Conflict

“…In this way, partners' expectations about each other's goals could become self-fulfilling prophecies over time. Finally, as attachment orientations shape accuracy in predicting the goals a partner will pursue in an impending serial argument episode (Carson & Ackerman, 2018), they may also shape the accuracy of momentary goal inferences, individuals' propensity to project their own goals onto a partner, and actor-to-partner goal contagion.…”

“…Partners in conflict often differ in their perceptions of one another’s goals (Bevan et al, 2006). In a recent study of serial arguing, people overestimated the importance of a partner’s negative conflict goals and underestimated the partner’s endorsement of positive conflict goals (Carson & Ackerman, 2018). Conflict communication reflects individuals’ goals and their judgments about their partners’ goals (Bevan, 2014), and perceptions of a partner’s arguing behaviors are more predictive of a conflict’s perceived resolvability than are the partner’s actual behaviors (Bevan, 2014; Johnson, 1998).…”

“…Thus, past work suggests inferences about a partner’s goals are central to the conflict process. Previous research has utilized cross-sectional, global assessments of goals and goal inferences for an entire argument episode (e.g., Bevan, 2014; Carson & Ackerman, 2018). Yet goal inferences can occur on a momentary basis (Van Overwalle et al, 2012), likely changing throughout interactions and as individuals observe their partners’ behaviors.…”

“…Goal projection may be particularly impactful in conflict, as it has been posited to complicate negotiation (Palomares, 2012). Goal projection in romantic conflict has been investigated in only one study of which we are aware (Carson & Ackerman, 2018). In that study, romantic partners preparing to discuss a serial argument perceived their counterpart’s argument goals as more similar to their own than they actually were (Carson & Ackerman, 2018).…”

“…In addition, because perceptions of goal progress and goal interference can shape cognitive and affective outcomes (Carver & Scheier, 1998), understanding momentary appraisals of goals can help explain conflict outcomes. Although recent research has examined partners’ global inferences about one another’s goals prior to a conflict episode (Carson & Ackerman, 2018). Sillars et al (2000) noted that “the qualities of in vivo thought during [.…”