Showing papers by "Eddie M. Clark published in 2010"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors replicated the factor structure of the PDIS with a sample of older adults, and examined whether religiosity and relational variables (e.g., satisfaction, commitment) were correlates of perceptions of infidelity.
Abstract: The goals of the current study were to (a) replicate the factor structure of the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (PDIS) with a sample of older adults, (b) examine whether religiosity and relational variables (e.g., satisfaction, commitment) were correlates of perceptions of infidelity, and (c) examine unique predictors of ratings of infidelity. As expected, three factors emerged from the PDIS: Ambiguous, Deceptive, and Explicit Behaviors. Satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and religiosity were correlated with ratings on the Ambiguous Behaviors factor. Furthermore, ratings on the Ambiguous Behaviors factor were uniquely predicted by satisfaction and religiosity.
64 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Mattingly et al. as discussed by the authors argued that individuals can take one of two routes when conflict occurs: engagement or avoidance, and if the individuals choose to engage the conflict, there are two possible outcomes: direct negotiation (which generally ends with compromise) or escalation.
Abstract: Individuals in romantic relationships regularly have conflicting desires, making it impossible for both partners to satisfy their self-interests. One way to resolve such conflict is for an individual to sacrifice self-interests. Willingness to sacrifice is "the propensity to forego immediate self-interest to promote the well-being of a partner or relationship" (Van Lange, Rusbult, Drigotas, Arriaga, Witcher, & Cox, 1997, p. 1374). Essentially, individuals sacrifice their desires to ensure that their partner is satisfied and that the relationship persists. Theoretical Perspectives on Sacrificing Peterson (1983) argued that individuals can take one of two routes when conflict occurs: engagement or avoidance. If the individuals choose to engage the conflict, there are two possible outcomes: direct negotiation (which generally ends with compromise) or escalation. Escalation is characterized by individuals making negative attributions of blame about their partners and generalizing the conflict (e.g., although Sally failed to take out the trash on one occasion, Harry claims that she never does this Author info: Correspondence should be sent to: Dr. Brent Mattingly, Psychology Dept., Ashland University, 401 College Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805 chore), in turn leading to an intensified conflict. Not surprisingly, couples who avoid escalation tactics tend to be more satisfied with their relationships and get along better with one another (Raush, Barry, Hertel, & Swain, 1974). Thus, individuals may sacrifice in an attempt to avoid further escalation. Individuals may instead choose to avoid conflict altogether, which may prevent individuals from experiencing the negative affect associated with conflict. This may entail withholding irritations from the partner as a way to facilitate a healthy relationship (Roloff & Cloven, 1990). Choosing to sacrifice before the conflict has been engaged is a way for individuals to both avoid the sacrifice and strengthen (or minimally, maintain) the relationship. However, there is evidence that avoiding conflict can lead to the potentially destructive demand/withdrawal cycle, in which one partner attempts to engage conflict and the other partner responds by avoiding the conflict (Christensen & Heavey, 1993). Chronic demand/withdrawal patterns have been shown to lead to decreased satisfaction (Heavey, Christensen, & Malamuth, 1995), suggesting that consistently avoiding conflict may be detrimental to the relationship. Interdependence theory (Kelley & Thibaut, 1978; Rusbult & Van Lange, 2003) posits that, when sacrificing, individuals experience a transformation of motivation in which partner's interests are placed ahead of self-preferences. This transformation occurs because individuals are committed to their relationship (Agnew, Van Lange, Rusbult, & Langston, 1998). One reason for this transformation is that if a committed relationship were to end, there would be a threat to the self-concept of the affected individuals (Lewandowski, Aron, Bassis, & Kunak, 2006) and investments such as time, effort, and material resources (Le & Agnew, 2003; Rusbult, 1980). Sacrificing as a Conflict Resolution Tactic and Relationship Maintenance Mechanism Sacrificing is conceptualized as a pro-relationship behavior because it is a form of conflict resolution. Because conflict is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction (e.g., Cramer, 2002), an individual who sacrifices his/her desires is attempting to improve or maintain the quality of the relationship. Supporting this reasoning, willingness to sacrifice is positively associated with relationship satisfaction (Van Lange, Rusbult, et al., 1997), and individuals who behave communally (i.e., incurring costs to oneself for the sake of a relationship partner) maintain or improve their relationship satisfaction (Clark & Grote, 1998). Furthermore, other pro-relationship behaviors are associated with positive relational outcomes. …
15 citations
TL;DR: An existing, theory-based instrument from another content domain is adapted to assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behavior among African Americans, using an individual difference approach and scores were predictive of health behaviors, particularly among women.
Abstract: Assessment of social influence on health behavior is often approached through a situational context. The current study adapted an existing, theory-based instrument from another content domain to assess Perceived Social Influence on Health Behavior (PSI-HB) among African Americans, using an individual difference approach. The adapted instrument was found to have high internal reliability (α = .81-.84) and acceptable test-retest reliability (r = .68-.85). A measurement model revealed a three-factor structure and supported the theoretical underpinnings. Scores were predictive of health behaviors, particularly among women. Future research using the new instrument may have applied value assessing social influence in the context of health interventions.
9 citations