Do shared self-expanding activities have to be physically arousing?

Participation in shared self-expanding activities benefits both relationships and the self. However, most studies use tasks that combine self-expansion and arousal within one activity, making it difficult to know what drives the benefits. We tested the distinct effects of self-expansion and arousal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social and personal relationships 2019-09, Vol.36 (9), p.2781-2801
Main Authors: Tomlinson, Jennifer M., Hughes, Erin K., Lewandowski, Gary W., Aron, Arthur, Geyer, Rachel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arousal
Marriage
Married couples
Participation
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Summary:Participation in shared self-expanding activities benefits both relationships and the self. However, most studies use tasks that combine self-expansion and arousal within one activity, making it difficult to know what drives the benefits. We tested the distinct effects of self-expansion and arousal in four studies. In Studies 1 and 2, 35 married couples and 106 friend pairs completed experiments manipulating self-expansion and arousal. Self-expansion (and not arousal) predicted relationship and individual outcomes. In Studies 3 and 4, 200 married individuals and 202 individuals thinking of a close friend reported perceptions of self-expansion and arousal during activities. Simultaneous regressions showed self-expansion, controlling (or not controlling) for arousal, predicted relationship, and individual outcomes. Results suggest that self-expansion is central for deriving benefits of shared activities, while arousal does not seem to be necessary.
ISSN:0265-4075
1460-3608
DOI:10.1177/0265407518801095