Creating Good Relationships: Responsiveness, Relationship Quality, and Interpersonal Goals

Perceived partner responsiveness is a core feature of close, satisfying relationships. But how does responsiveness originate? Can people create relationships characterized by high responsiveness and, consequently, higher quality relationships? The authors suggest that goals contribute to cycles of r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 2010-07, Vol.99 (1), p.78-106
Main Authors: Canevello, Amy, Crocker, Jennifer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Biological and medical sciences
Empathy
Female
Friends - psychology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Goals
Human
Humans
Interpersonal Interaction
Interpersonal Relations
Interpersonal Relationships
Male
Models, Psychological
Objectives
Personal relationships
Personal Satisfaction
Projections
Psychological aspects
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Quality
Relationship Quality
Responsiveness
Roommates
Satisfaction
Self
Self Concept
Social interaction
Social interactions. Communication. Group processes
Social Perception
Social psychology
Studies
Time Factors
Young Adult
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Summary:Perceived partner responsiveness is a core feature of close, satisfying relationships. But how does responsiveness originate? Can people create relationships characterized by high responsiveness and, consequently, higher quality relationships? The authors suggest that goals contribute to cycles of responsiveness between two people, improving relationship quality for both of them. The present studies examine (a) how interpersonal goals initiate responsiveness processes in close relationships, (b) the self-perpetuating nature of these processes, and (c) how responsiveness evolves dynamically over time through both intrapersonal projection and reciprocal interpersonal relationship processes. In a semester-long study of 115 roommate dyads, actors' compassionate and self-image goals predicted a cycle of responsiveness between roommates, occurring within weeks and across the semester. In a 3-week study of 65 roommate dyads, actors' goals again predicted cycles of responsiveness between roommates, which then contributed to both actors' and partners' relationship quality. Results suggest that both projection and reciprocation of responsiveness associated with compassionate goals create upward spirals of responsiveness that ultimately enhance relationship quality for both people.
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/a0018186