1. REMINDERS: The papers are due one week from today.
Psychology 137C: Intimate Relationships Week 7, Lecture 1: Beliefs & Values
REMINDERS:
The papers are due one week from today.
Must be turned in here in class – we will not accept attachments or papers dropped in our mailboxes.

2. Why Study Cognition in Relationships?
Behavioral research assumes that behaviors have inherent meanings.
In fact, behaviors are ambiguous.
The Annie Hall example.
Meaning in relationships comes partly from the behavior, and partly from how we interpret it.

3. Revisiting the Intimacy Process Model
From Reis & Patrick, 1996, p. 537

4. What do we know about our Intimate Relationships?
Three levels of relationship knowledge (Fletcher, 2002):
General beliefs and values re: social behavior
“Look out for #1”
General beliefs and values re: relationships
“Love conquers all.”
Specific beliefs and values re: one particular intimate relationship
“She is my soulmate.”

5. What functions does this knowledge serve?
Theories help us to navigate our complex social worlds in three ways:
Understand and explain the world around us
Anticipate and predict what will happen
Control and regulate our behavior
The connection between these last two levels proves to be particularly important.

6. The Ideal Standards Model
How do we know if we are in a good or bad relationship?
We compare what we perceive we have in the relationship with pre-existing beliefs and values.
Comparison levels return!
If I get more than I expect, I will be happy
If I get less than I expect, I will be less happy.
Fletcher and Kininmonth (1992)
When sex is important, correlates with satisfaction at .48.
When sex is not important, correlates with satisfaction at .04.

7. Common ‘Dysfunctional’ Beliefs (Eidelson & Epstein, 1982)
Disagreement is Destructive
Mindreading is Expected
Sex must be Perfect
Men and Women are Basically Different

8. Implicit Theories of Relationships
Which statement do you agree with more?
“Relationships that do not start off well will fail.”
“People can change the way they act.”
How much are your perceptions of your partner’s personality linked to your satisfaction?
How much is initial satisfaction linked to relationship longevity?

9. Perceptual Confirmation
Our expectations affect our perceptions
We tend to see what we expect to see.
The effects of rejection sensitivity
The effects of low-self-esteem

10. Behavioral Confirmation
Our expectations affect our behavior
The self-fulfilling prophecy
How do we interact with people we think are attractive?
The social problems of the depressed

11. High Standards or Lower Expectations: Which is Better?
The argument for higher standards
The argument for lowered expectations
Resolution:
McNulty & Karney (2004)

12. Expectancies Interact with Behavior!