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Relationship Unit I (Introduction)

Psychology of Interpersonal

Subunit I The Purpose of Interpersonal Relationship Every human being is considered a social animal; perhaps highly evolved species with a lot of instincts of which one is gregariousness meaning being together. Human being as a species necessarily will have to cooperate with each other to ensure proper development of self as well as society. In the process of cooperation, sometimes there can be competition. If competition is going to be seen without much coordination, that will eventually result in conflicts that too disruptive conflicts. This could be a potential cause for violence, aggression and such other antisocial responses. In order to prevent, resolve or manage, behavioral scientists analyze the basic characteristics of human beings especially in a group situation. The group can be as small as a dyad or as large as anybody could imagine. Whatever be the size of the group, intricacies in human interaction need to be understood so that altruism (pro social behavior) is promoted and any form of antisocial behavior is curbed if not primarily at least secondarily and at tertiary level. Subunit II Major Themes in Interpersonal Relationship From the point of view of psychology, major themes in interpersonal relationship include intelligence (interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence as per Howard Gardners Multiple Intelligences Theory), personality, motivation, self awareness, self disclosure, self acceptance, trust, communication and conflicts. These themes form an integral part of the process of interpersonal relationship; so they will be explained in detail as and when required. Subunit III The Influence of Behavioral Sciences Psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, education, history, management studies etc., are regarded as behavioral sciences each of which has its own influence on understanding interpersonal relationship. Psychology providing a strong base for understanding human behavior as such, it wields a heavy influence on analyzing various aspects of interpersonal relationship: the entire scope of psychology will be felt while dealing with each and every component of interpersonal

relationship. Concepts like motivation, communication, self awareness, self disclosure, self acceptance, trust, and conflicts which are mentioned as major themes (Subunit II) are predominantly psychological in nature. If psychology is concerned with interpersonal relationship at micro or individual level, sociology perhaps explains the same at macro or group or societal level. Structure and functions of various types of groups, society etc are of paramount interest to sociologists. Anthropology deals with various aspects of kinship, marriage, family, culture, religion and so on. Naturally each of these factors will have an impact on interpersonal relationship. Economics, education, management studies, history and almost every other branch of knowledge are bound to have their influence on interpersonal relationship. Even physics, chemistry, biology, cyber sciences, perhaps branches of engineering are quite likely to have their positive impact on various types of interpersonal relationship. Meaningful or logical explanation can be offered linking each of these branches of knowledge with the domain of interpersonal relationship Subunit IV Psychology of Interpersonal Relationship The term Psychology of Interpersonal Relationship may be defined as a systematic and scientific study of all types of interactions among individuals from the cognitive behavioral perspective emphasizing the analysis of human behavior, prevention, resolution and management of behavioral problems. Levels of interpersonal relations At three levels, the concept of interpersonal relationship is studied namely 1. Dyadic 2. Group and 3. Society. Simultaneously the same concept of interpersonal relationship is studied on another axis namely formal and informal so that one can understand to an extent how much each and every member exercises mutual or reciprocal influence over every other individual in the group or society. Social exchange view point (Interdependence Theory) The theory of interdependence has been proposed by Berschield and Regan in the year 2005. This theory analyzes the patterns of interaction between partners: one way of interaction is

in terms of the outcomes namely (a) rewards (positive) and (b) costs (negative) which partners give and receive. Interactions are so arranged that rewards are maximized and costs are minimized. If one has to receive reward or anything positive, one has to give the same. Basically rewards are of six types namely 1. love, 2. money, 3.status, 4. Information, 5.goods and 6.services. These six types may be classified into two dimensions (not categories) namely, a. Particularlism (specific) versus nonparticularlism or universal. b. Concreteness versus abstract. Concrete is tangible while abstract is intangible like advice, approval etc. Costs are negative; examples are expenditure of time and energy, conflict (disruptive), disapproval, destructive criticism etc. For instance, let us take romantic relationship as an example to explain the rewards and costs involved in such an interpersonal relationship. Rewards 1. Partying with your fiance/date 2. Feeling loved 3. Happiness 4. Intimacy 5. Self understanding 6. Sexual gratification Costs 1. Not being able to prepare for your examination 2. Distress 3. Worry or anxiety about the relationship 4. Lack of freedom to socialize or to date with other people 5. Time and effort to maintain the partner 6. Fights 7. Feeling of dependency Gender differences are reported with regard to romantic relationship: men worry about the monetary cost besides investment of time and energy. Women on the other hand are concerned about dependent on partner and loss of identity. Evaluation of outcomes Interdependence theory assumes that people keep track of the rewards and costs of a particular interaction or relationship.

Though no list is prepared formally regarding rewards and costs in a relationship, we are aware of the positive and negative aspects of relationship. The simplest standard for evaluating a relationship is whether it is profitable or costly (that is within a relationship). Between any two relationships which is more profitable or less costly than the other would also matter when we evaluate outcomes of interactions. Coordination of outcomes Outcomes need to be coordinated to maximize the benefits to all partners. Coordination depends on how many common interests or goals are shared, by valuing the same activities. Generally partners with similar background and attitude have less problems of coordination than coming from dissimilar background or attitude. Complementary background or system is also effective provided adjustment mechanism has to be fine. Fair Exchange There are three principles by which exchange can be made fair namely 1. Equality principle (half and half) 2. Relative needs hungry person will eat more food than the person who is not hungry. 3. Equity profits should be proportional to ones contribution. Equity theory has four basic assumptions which are 1. In a relationship, individuals try to maximize their outcomes. 2. Dyads or groups can maximize their collective rewards by evolving norms or rules for fair sharing of rewards. 3. The greater the inequity the greater will distress be. 4. Individuals perceiving inequity in a relationship will take steps to restore equity. Hatfield and others in 1985 have explained the above mentioned equity theory. Clarke and Mills distinguished between exchange and communal relationships. In the exchange relationship, people give benefits with the expectation of receiving comparable benefits in return. But in the communal relationship, people provide benefits to respond to others needs without expecting similar benefits in return. Thus relationships are of two types according to Clarke and Mills. Exchange is relatively more formal than communal. With

regard to the level of relationship, it could be dyadic or group / society related.