(Download) "Individual Differences in Romantic Partners' Desire for Less Closeness (Report)" by North American Journal of Psychology " eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Individual Differences in Romantic Partners' Desire for Less Closeness (Report)
- Author : North American Journal of Psychology
- Release Date : January 01, 2009
- Genre: Education,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 200 KB
Description
Relational closeness is typically considered an indispensable feature of romantic relationships. Closeness refers to having cognitive interdependence with a relational partner; promoting a connection between self and other inclusion (Aron, Aron, Tudor, & Nelson, 1991; Aron, Mashek, & Aron, 2004). Romantic partners experiencing a high level of closeness (1) share their identity, resources, perspectives, and activities (Aron & Aron, 1986; Ben-Ari & Lavee, 2007). Although partners who are not close may remain committed to one another even while experiencing dissatisfaction (Rusbult, Coolsen, Kirchner, & Clarke, 2006), some romantic partners may believe there is too much interdependence and the inclusion of a partner is stifling to the concept of "self." Such a perception may be conceptualized as "desiring less closeness" (Mashek & Sherman, 2004). Scant research has examined romantic partners who feel overwhelmed with inclusion, although some preliminary findings have surfaced. Mashek and Sherman (2004) suggested that threat to personal control and personal identity are predictors of desiring less closeness in romantic relationships and that approximately 12-30% of partners exhibit this desire (3-9% in married couples). However, as Mashek and Sherman (2004) proposed, "a next logical line of inquiry involves studying the relationship quality correlates of wanting less closeness" (p. 346). Considering that personality is important for relational quality (Simpson, Winterheld, & Chen, 2006; Sturaro, Denissen, Van Aken, & Asendorpf, 2008; Zentner, 2005), the purpose of the current study was to examine romantic partners' desire for less closeness within the framework of the Five Factor Theory (FFT) of personality. The Five-Factor Theory (McCrae & Costa, 1999) is a major framework for classifying and understanding individual differences (John & Srivastava, 1999). As McCrae and Costa (1999) noted, "much of what psychologists mean by the term personality is summarized by the five factor model, and the model has been of great utility to the field by integrating and systematizing diverse conceptions and measures" (p. 139). According to this theory, there are five major dimensions of personality dispositions that are universal among individuals (Goldberg, 1992). Across many empirical studies, five distinct factors have emerged: extraversion, neuroticism, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness (Lounsbury, Loveland, & Gibson, 2003). These five factors are individual differences discovered to be stable across culture (McCrae et al., 2004) and methods of assessment (Biesanz & West, 2004). Extraversion is the tendency to approach social stimuli (see McCrae & John, 1992). Neuroticism is the tendency to experience negative emotions (e.g., fear). Openness refers to being imaginative, original, and curious. Agreeableness is the tendency to get along with others and to sympathize. Conscientiousness refers to being able to resist impulses while possessing self-control.
 "Individual Differences in Romantic Partners' Desire for Less Closeness (Report)" by North American Journal of Psychology " eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free){kind=link}