Work

Congruence Between Spouses’ Perceptions and Observers’ Ratings of Responsiveness

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Although close relationships require partners to depend on one another for mutual responsiveness, avoidantly attached individuals are especially averse to risking such dependency. The authors propose that both avoidant and non-avoidant individuals perceive signs of their own and their partners' responsiveness in ways that reflect motivated perceptions of dependency. The present research examined how the interplay between spouses' attachment avoidance and observed responsive behaviors during marital conflict shaped perceptions of their own and their partners' responsiveness. Newlywed couples attempted to resolve a relationship conflict and then reported perceptions of their own and their partners' responsiveness during the conflict. Observers also coded both partners' responsive behaviors during the conflict. Avoidant spouses perceived themselves as less responsive, especially when observers rated them as more responsive; avoidant spouses also perceived their partners as less responsive. The discussion highlights the role of attachment in understanding links between responsiveness-related perceptions and behaviors.

Source: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

DOI: 10.1177/0146167213507779

Authors: Lindsey A. Beck, Paula R. Pietromonaco, Cassandra C. DeVito, Sally I. Powers, Alysia M. Boyle

Institutions: Emerson College, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute

Award: Biopsychosocial Factors in Depression and Marriage: Implications for Cancer