TY - JOUR
T1 - The causal role of theories of relationships
T2 - Consequences for satisfaction and cognitive strategies
AU - Franiuk, Renae
AU - Pomerantz, Eva M.
AU - Cohen, Dov
PY - 2004/11
Y1 - 2004/11
N2 - Two studies demonstrated the causal role of relationship theories in influencing relationship satisfaction and the processes affecting satisfaction. In both studies, participants were induced to hold either the soulmate or work-it-out theory. Feelings that one's partner was ideal (or not) were associated with relationship satisfaction more strongly for people induced to hold the soulmate theory than the work-it-out theory (Study 1). In Study 2, participants' beliefs about their relationships were threatened, and strategies for responding to this threat were assessed. Inducing people to hold the soulmate theory resulted in more relationship-enhancing cognitions if participants believed they were with the right person but more relationship-detracting cognitions if participants did not believe they were with the right person. These polarizing tendencies were enhanced under threat. In contrast, inducing people to hold a work-it-out theory produced almost no biased processing, leading people to process information similarly, regardless of their feelings about their partner.
AB - Two studies demonstrated the causal role of relationship theories in influencing relationship satisfaction and the processes affecting satisfaction. In both studies, participants were induced to hold either the soulmate or work-it-out theory. Feelings that one's partner was ideal (or not) were associated with relationship satisfaction more strongly for people induced to hold the soulmate theory than the work-it-out theory (Study 1). In Study 2, participants' beliefs about their relationships were threatened, and strategies for responding to this threat were assessed. Inducing people to hold the soulmate theory resulted in more relationship-enhancing cognitions if participants believed they were with the right person but more relationship-detracting cognitions if participants did not believe they were with the right person. These polarizing tendencies were enhanced under threat. In contrast, inducing people to hold a work-it-out theory produced almost no biased processing, leading people to process information similarly, regardless of their feelings about their partner.
KW - Implicit theories
KW - Relationship beliefs
KW - Relationship satisfaction
KW - Relationship threats
KW - Romantic relationships
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=7544227871&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=7544227871&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0146167204264894
DO - 10.1177/0146167204264894
M3 - Article
C2 - 15448312
AN - SCOPUS:7544227871
SN - 0146-1672
VL - 30
SP - 1494
EP - 1507
JO - Personality and social psychology bulletin
JF - Personality and social psychology bulletin
IS - 11
ER -