Page 174 - Essentials of Human Communication

Theories of Interpersonal Communication and Relationships 153

should get approximately equal rewards. You also see the demand for equity in on- Communication
line relationships; if you indicate “like” or “+1” to a friend’s photos or posts, you ex- Choice point
pect reciprocity; you expect equity. In fact social media have rather strict, though negotiating equity
unwritten, equity expectations. You feel your romantic rela-
Equity theory puts into clear focus the sources of relational dissatisfaction seen tionship of the last three months has be-
every day. For example, in a relationship both partners may have full-time jobs, but come inequitable—you seem to do more of
one partner may also be expected to do the major share of the household chores. the work but get few benefits, while your
Thus, although both may be deriving equal rewards—they have equally good cars, partner does less work but gets more bene-
they live in the same three-bedroom house, and so on—one partner is paying more fits. You want to correct this imbalance be-
of the costs. According to equity theory, this partner will be dissatisfied. fore the relationship goes any further. What
Equity theory claims that you will develop, maintain, and be satisfied with rela- are some options you have for negotiating
tionships that are equitable. You will not develop, will be dissatisfied with, and will greater equity? What are some of the things
you might say?
eventually terminate relationships that are inequitable. The greater the inequity, the
greater the dissatisfaction and the greater the likelihood that the relationship will end.

Objectives Self-Check
● Can you explain the theories of interpersonal relationships (attraction, rules, and social exchange
and equity)?
● Can you apply the insights from these theories to your own relationships—to better understand
them and to improve them?

Messages in the Media Wrap Up
Television dramas and sitcoms are perfect laboratories for studying communication patterns in relationships of
all kinds. Watching these shows with a view to the ways in which the characters define themselves and
communicate with each other will provide a useful follow-up to this chapter.

Summary of Concepts and Skills Study and Review materials for this chapter are
at MyCommunicationLab

Listen to the Audio Chapter Summary dissolution. Each of these stages can be further broken
at MyCommunicationLab down into an early and a late phase.
This chapter explored interpersonal relationships—their 4. Among the major causes of relationship deterioration are a
stages and types; the reasons they are formed; and the influ- lessening of the reasons for establishing the relationship,
ence of culture, technology, and work on relationships. changes in the people involved, sexual difficulties, and
advantages and Disadvantages of interpersonal work and financial problems.
Relationships
interpersonal Relationship types
1. Among the advantages are that relationships lessen loneli-
ness and raise self-esteem. 5. Friendships may be classified as those of reciprocity, recep-
2. Among the disadvantages are that relationships put pressure tivity, and association.
on you to expose weakness and increase your obligations. 6. Six primary love styles have been identified: eros, ludus,
storge, pragma, mania, and agape.
the Stages of interpersonal Relationships
7. Primary relationships may be classified into traditionals,
3. Relationships may be viewed in terms of six stages: contact, independents, and separates; families as consensual, pro-
involvement, intimacy, deterioration, repair, and tective, pluralistic, and laissez-faire.