Theories of *Relationships and Their Influence on Relationship Satisfaction and Relationship Processes
The causal role of implicit theories in romantic relationships was investigated in two studies. The central goal of these studies was to determine the influence of the soulmate and work-it-out theories on relationship satisfaction and the processes that affect relationship satisfaction. In both studies, participants in a relationship were induced to hold either the soulmate or work-it-out theory. In Study 1, college students (N = 76) then completed a set of questionnaires, including measures of relationship satisfaction. For those induced to hold the soulmate theory, feelings that one's specific partner was ideal was associated with relationship satisfaction more strongly than for those induced to hold the work-it-out theory. In Study 2, college students' (N = 92) beliefs about their relationships were threatened, and then participants' strategies for reducing this threat were assessed. For those induced to hold the soulmate theory, participants who were threatened who believed that they were with the right person were more likely to make relationship-enhancing distortions than for those induced to hold the work-it-out theory. Those who believed that they were not with the right person were less likely to make relationship-enhancing distortions when induced to hold the soulmate theory versus the work-it-out theory. These studies demonstrate the causal role of implicit theories in influencing relationship satisfaction and the underlying processes.
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign