Implicit theories of relationships: Assessment and prediction of romantic relationship initiation, coping, and longevity.

Abstract

Belief in romantic destiny holds that potential relationship partners are either meant for each other or they are not. As hypothesized, a longitudinal study of romantic relationships revealed that the relation between initial satisfaction and relationship longevity was stronger for those who believe in romantic destiny. In addition, belief in destiny was associated with avoidance coping strategies in dealing with relationship stressors, and with taking more responsibility for ending the relationship. Belief in growth independently holds that successful relationships are cultivated and developed, and was associated with long-term approaches to dating, relationship-maintaining coping strategies and, once the relationship had ended, disagreeing that it seemed wrong from the beginning. Implications and future research avenues are discussed. Individuals have different beliefs about what makes for a good relationship (Fletcher & Kininmonth, 1992; Fletcher & Thomas, 1996). Indeed, the area of social cognition in close relationships continues to thrive, and relationship beliefs and knowledge structures have become a major focus (Berscheid, 1994; Fletcher & Fincham, 1991; Fletcher & Fitness, 1993). In addition, researchers are continually being urged to consider more fully the impact of cognition on relationships , and vice versa (Baldwin, 1992; Fiske, 1992; Ickes & Gonzales, 1996; Kenny, 1994; Reis & Knee, 1996; Schneider, 1991). One type of knowledge structure that has garnered much attention in the achievement and social judgment literatures, but no attention from relationship researchers, is the construct of implicit theories (Dweck, 1996; Dweck, Chiu, & Hong, 1995; Dweck, Hong, & Chiu, 1993). Implicit theories distinguish between the belief that attributes are fixed (or destined) and the belief that attributes are developed (or grown). These implicit theories can take on fascinating meaning when applied to relationships in that one can believe that relationships are destined and that relationships are characterized by growth. The present research examined how destiny and growth beliefs influence the initiation, coping, and longevity of romantic relationships.