Semester 2
Minor -2 – Psychology of Relationship
Module 2 - Theories and Models of Relationship
Theories of Relationship Formation
Evolutionary Perspective
This theory explains relationships through the lens of survival and reproduction.
Key ideas:
▪ Humans form relationships to pass on their genes and ensure the survival of their
offspring.
▪ Traits such as physical attractiveness (a sign of health) and resources (security and
protection) are often considered desirable.
▪ Men may prioritize youth and fertility in partners because these traits indicate
reproductive potential.
▪ Women may prioritize resources, stability, and the ability of a partner to provide
protection and support.
▪ Evolutionary psychology suggests that these preferences are universal and rooted in
human biology.
Social Exchange Theory (Thibaut & Kelley)
Relationships are seen as a rational cost-benefit analysis where individuals aim to maximize
benefits and minimize costs.
Key ideas:
▪ Rewards include love, support, companionship, and material benefits, while costs
involve time, effort, and emotional strain.
▪ People have a "comparison level," which is their standard for what they expect based
on past experiences or societal norms.
▪ "Comparison level for alternatives" determines whether someone believes they could
find a better relationship elsewhere.
▪ If the current relationship offers more rewards than costs and exceeds expectations,
individuals are likely to stay committed.
Attachment Theory (Bowlby & Ainsworth)
This theory focuses on how early experiences with caregivers shape future relationship
behaviors and expectations.
Key ideas:
▪ Secure attachment: Develops when caregivers are consistently responsive, leading to
comfort with intimacy and trust in relationships.
▪ Anxious attachment: Results from inconsistent caregiving, leading to fear of
abandonment and clinginess in adult relationships.
▪ Avoidant attachment: Stems from neglectful or unresponsive caregiving, resulting in
discomfort with closeness and reliance on independence.
▪ These attachment styles influence how individuals perceive and interact with their
romantic partners.
Theories of Relationship Maintenance
Equity Theory
Suggests that fairness and balance are essential for maintaining satisfying relationships.
Key ideas:
▪ Both partners should feel that their contributions (time, effort, resources) and rewards
(love, respect, support) are equal.
▪ Inequity occurs when one partner feels over-benefited or under-benefited, leading to
dissatisfaction.
▪ Partners may try to restore balance by adjusting their contributions or perceptions of
fairness.
▪ Long-term equity fosters trust, satisfaction, and commitment.
Relational Dialectics Theory
Focuses on the natural tensions or contradictions that exist in relationships.
Key ideas:
▪ Common dialectical tensions include:
▪ Autonomy vs. connection: The desire for independence vs. the need for closeness.
▪ Openness vs. privacy: The wish to share everything vs. the need to keep some things
private.
▪ Stability vs. change: The comfort of consistency vs. the excitement of novelty.
▪ Successful relationships manage these tensions through effective communication and
compromise.
Interdependence Theory
Explains how partners depend on each other to meet their needs and achieve satisfaction.
Key ideas:
▪ Outcomes: The balance of rewards and costs in the relationship.
▪ Comparison level: Personal standards or expectations based on past relationships or
cultural norms.
▪ Comparison level for alternatives: The perceived value of alternative relationships or
being single.
▪ High dependence occurs when a relationship provides significant rewards that are not
easily available elsewhere, strengthening commitment.
Love & Intimacy
Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love
Proposes that love consists of three essential components:
▪ Intimacy: Emotional closeness, sharing, and bonding.
▪ Passion: Physical attraction, sexual desire, and romantic feelings.
▪ Commitment: The decision to stay together and maintain the relationship over
time.
Different combinations of these components create different types of love:
▪ Romantic love: Intimacy + Passion (e.g., early stages of a relationship).
▪ Companionate love: Intimacy + Commitment (e.g., long-term friendships or
marriages without intense passion).
▪ Fatuous love: Passion + Commitment (e.g., whirlwind romances lacking deeper
connection).
▪ Consummate love: Intimacy + Passion + Commitment (considered the ideal form
of love).
Love Styles and Cultural Variations
Explores how people express and experience love based on individual differences and cultural
backgrounds.
Love styles:
▪ Eros: Passionate and romantic love, focused on physical attraction and emotional
intensity.
▪ Ludus: Playful and casual love, often avoiding commitment.
▪ Storge: Friendship-based love, growing gradually from companionship.
▪ Pragma: Practical and logical love, emphasizing compatibility and shared goals.
▪ Mania: Intense, obsessive, and possessive love, often involving emotional highs
and lows.
▪ Agape: Selfless, altruistic, and unconditional love, prioritizing the well-being of the
partner.
Cultural variations:
▪ Individualistic cultures (e.g., Western societies): Tend to value romantic love and
personal happiness as the basis for relationships.
▪ Collectivist cultures (e.g., Asian or African societies): Emphasize family approval,
social harmony, and long-term compatibility over individual preferences.