Comments on: Is Sacrifice in Relationships Related to Commitment and Functioning? http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related.php Understand your mind with the science of psychology - Mon, 04 May 2009 10:30:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jeremy (PsyBlog author) http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related.php/comment-page-1#comment-19868 Jeremy (PsyBlog author) Sun, 22 Apr 2007 19:30:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related-to-commitment-and-functioning.php#comment-19868 Hi Agent 1999 and Dr Grumpus, thanks for your comments - both very interesting. Hi Agent 1999 and Dr Grumpus, thanks for your comments - both very interesting.

]]> By: Dr. Grumpus http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related.php/comment-page-1#comment-19866 Dr. Grumpus Sat, 21 Apr 2007 04:47:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related-to-commitment-and-functioning.php#comment-19866 Just a few rambling thoughts (as a long-time reader and first poster):<br /><br />Being a big fan of Interdependence Theory (Thibaut & Kelley), sacrifice is inherently explained as maximizing relationship outcomes even though individual outcomes would be higher by not sacrificing (or, in the parlance, "cooperation" or "competition"). <br /><br />A gender difference is indeed plausible using this perspective, and would seem to most likely manifest in the different outcomes that would arise given the cooperation/competition decision payoffs (the matrix of outcomes) made by the individuals within the relationship .<br /><br />It'll be interesting to read this research closer, but one thing I have found (anecdotally) is that dyadic adjustment is typically aided by communicating the sacrifice one makes for the sake of the relationship to the partner. Otherwise, said sacrifice cannot be interpreted as a relationship- oriented action, which would more likely be reciprocated.<br /><br />Now that I think of it, a gender difference in this communication behavior may exist also. Just a few rambling thoughts (as a long-time reader and first poster):

Being a big fan of Interdependence Theory (Thibaut & Kelley), sacrifice is inherently explained as maximizing relationship outcomes even though individual outcomes would be higher by not sacrificing (or, in the parlance, "cooperation" or "competition").

A gender difference is indeed plausible using this perspective, and would seem to most likely manifest in the different outcomes that would arise given the cooperation/competition decision payoffs (the matrix of outcomes) made by the individuals within the relationship .

It'll be interesting to read this research closer, but one thing I have found (anecdotally) is that dyadic adjustment is typically aided by communicating the sacrifice one makes for the sake of the relationship to the partner. Otherwise, said sacrifice cannot be interpreted as a relationship- oriented action, which would more likely be reciprocated.

Now that I think of it, a gender difference in this communication behavior may exist also.

]]> By: agent1999 http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related.php/comment-page-1#comment-19864 agent1999 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:56:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related-to-commitment-and-functioning.php#comment-19864 It's a clever little discussion. Perhaps ironic that just last night, I was having a discussion with my adult daughter that is tangential to this one - and that is the impact of selfishness in the quality and nature of the relationship. The thinking is - the more selfish one acts, the lower the perceived value of the relationship. Relationships are all a carefully orchestrated balancing act - like holding a 30 gallon aquarium over your head while skateboarding through the downtown. It's a clever little discussion. Perhaps ironic that just last night, I was having a discussion with my adult daughter that is tangential to this one - and that is the impact of selfishness in the quality and nature of the relationship. The thinking is - the more selfish one acts, the lower the perceived value of the relationship. Relationships are all a carefully orchestrated balancing act - like holding a 30 gallon aquarium over your head while skateboarding through the downtown.

]]> By: Jeremy (PsyBlog author) http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related.php/comment-page-1#comment-19863 Jeremy (PsyBlog author) Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:53:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related-to-commitment-and-functioning.php#comment-19863 Hi there - you're welcome. Hi there - you're welcome.

]]> By: Health Watch Center http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related.php/comment-page-1#comment-19862 Health Watch Center Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:33:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/04/is-sacrifice-in-relationships-related-to-commitment-and-functioning.php#comment-19862 Hello Jeremy Dean,<br /><br />Very interesting post about relationships, sacrifices, women thoughts and men thoughts...Yeah I agree with your caution it definitely counts...thank you for sharing...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.selfhelpzone.com/" rel="nofollow">Self Help Zone</a> Hello Jeremy Dean,

Very interesting post about relationships, sacrifices, women thoughts and men thoughts...Yeah I agree with your caution it definitely counts...thank you for sharing...

Self Help Zone

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