Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Psychology
Supervisor
Dr. Lorne Campbell
Second Advisor
Dr. Bertram Gawronski
Abstract
Three studies guided by the Ideal Standards Model (ISM; J. A. Simpson, G. J. O. Fletcher, & L. Campbell, 2001) and attribution theory investigated how discrepancies between partner ideals and partner perceptions relate to how negative behaviors are explained in close relationships. Results from 193 participants split across 2 correlational studies (Studies 1A and 1B) revealed that across partner committed and self committed behaviors, larger ideal discrepancies were associated with a consistent pattern of agreement in how negative relationship events were explained. Discrepancies on the warmth/trustworthiness ideal dimension were related to expectations for negative behavior commission and explanation based on negative partner and self assessments on interactional traits, whereas attractiveness/vitality discrepancies were associated with negative relationship events being interpreted as communicative and regulatory in nature. Study 2 attempted to extend these findings by manipulating ideal discrepancies in an experiment. The relevance of these results for future research aiming to extend the ISM is discussed.
Recommended Citation
Rubin, Harris, "THE INFLUENCE OF IDEAL STANDARDS ON EXPLANATION PROCESSES IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4489.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4489