1. Relational Maximization and Commitment in Romantic Relationships
Madison Garner, Communication Studies
Whitworth University
Abstract
methods
Discussion Cont.
Discussion
Commitment in romantic relationships tends to increase as satisfaction increases, but can a personality trait affect commitment levels of individuals in satisfying relationships? This study examined whether the trait of relational maximization impacts commitment. Results from 343 participants revealed relational maximization does weaken the relationship between satisfaction and commitment in romantic relationship.
Participants: 343 college students (127 men, 209 women, 7 individuals who did not identify) with an average age of 21 years old.
A pen and paper survey was used, with questions measuring relational satisfaction, investments, commitment, and relational maximization.
This study showed that the trait of relational maximization does moderate the relationship between satisfaction and commitment. If you take two individuals who are high in satisfaction and one is also high in maximization, that individual will be less committed to the romantic relationship than the person low in maximization. One key takeaway from the research is that maximization does not only impact how individuals chose a romantic partner, but impacts the commitment individuals have to a chosen romantic partner. As the research showed, simply holding high standards isn’t the problem for maximizer’s in their relationships. Decision difficulty and alternative search is what negatively impacts commitment, and in turn negatively impacts the relationship.
results
background
Relational Maximization
Maximization is a personality trait found in individuals who want to make the best choice possible in romantic relationships.
Relational maximization is made up of three components:
High standards: holding high expectations about a potential romantic partner
Decision difficulty: struggling with deciding whether or not to pursue a romantic relationship with an individual
Alternative search: seeking better options and considering other relationships
Satisfaction
Satisfaction is people’s perceptions of the quality of their relationship based on their expectations. Satisfying relationships exceed expectations and dissatisfying relationships fall below expectations.
Commitment
Commitment is people’s evaluations of whether they wish to remain in the relationship.
Mean Scores of Commitment
Limitations
The method used only allows for correlation, not causation.
The research examined an undergraduate student population, which may not reflect the general population’s experience of maximization
Future directions
Correlation of Satisfaction to Commitment
Low Maximization
High Maximization
.68
.56
What’s the difference between why a maximizer would be high in high standards versus a maximizer high in alternative seeking?
Are relationship termination rates higher among individuals high in maximization versus low in maximization?
Is there a point in the relationship where maximizers stop maximizing, such as a turning point in the relationship like marriage?
Hypothesis
H1: Maximization will moderate the relationship between satisfaction and commitment. Specifically, maximization will weaken the relationship (a high satisfaction maximizer will be less committed than an individual who is low in maximization).
Correlations for Relational Maximization and Commitment
Alternative
Search
Decision
Difficulty
High
Standards
Commitment
-.37
-.09 ns
Correlation is significant at the .01 level, ns stands for not significant