Interpersonal Relationships

On Being in the Moment By Ivy Helman

by Feminism and Religion

Originally published on the Feminism and Religion project

Time.  We mark years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds. We mark seasons.  We mark life events. ... more Time.  We mark years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds. We mark seasons.  We mark life events.  We live our lives in time: both circular and linear.  Time began before we did and time will continue after we cannot experience it any further.  Some say we repeat time with rebirth.  Others suggest that we only have one lifetime of which we should make the most.  Still others suggest there is existence outside of time with concepts like infinity and eternal life. 

Social Networks, Effects on Developed Relationships

by H. Colleen Sinclair

Gender Rules: Same and Cross-Gender Friendship Norms

by H. Colleen Sinclair

Cold-blooded loneliness: Social exclusion leads to lower skin temperatures

by Hans IJzerman

Co-authored with Marcello Gallucci, Wim Pouw, Sophia Weiβgerber, Niels van Doesum, & Kip Williams. This paper has been accepted in Acta Psychologica. This paper not yet been published; this copy may thus not reflect the final published copy of the article.

Being ostracized or excluded, even briefly and by strangers, is painful and threatens fundamental needs. Recent work... more Being ostracized or excluded, even briefly and by strangers, is painful and threatens fundamental needs. Recent work by Zhong and Leonardelli (2008) found that excluded individuals perceive the room as cooler and that they desire warmer drinks. A perspective that many rely on in embodiment is the theoretical idea that people use metaphorical associations to understand social exclusion (see Landau, Meier, & Keefer, 2010). We suggest that people feel colder because they are colder. The results strongly support the idea that more complex metaphorical understandings of social relations are scaffolded onto literal changes in bodily temperature: Being excluded in an online ball tossing game leads to lower finger temperatures (Study 1), while negative affect typically experienced after such social exclusion is alleviated after holding a cup of warm tea (Study 2). The authors discuss further implications for the interaction between body and social relations specifically, and for basic and cognitive systems in general.

Caring for sharing: How attachment styles modulate communal cues of physical warmth

by Hans IJzerman

Co-authored with Johan Karremans, Lotte Thomsen, and Thomas Schubert. This article has been accepted for publication in Social Psychology, Special Issue on the Fundamental Dimensions of Social Perception. This paper has not yet been published; this copy may thus not reflect the final published copy of the article.

Does physical warmth lead to caring and sharing? Research suggests that it does; physically warm versus cold... more Does physical warmth lead to caring and sharing? Research suggests that it does; physically warm versus cold conditions induce pro-social behaviors and cognitions. Importantly, earlier research has not traced the developmental origins of the association between physical warmth and affection. The association between physical warmth and sharing may be captured in specific cognitive models of close social relations, often referred to as attachment styles. In line with this notion and using a dictator game set-up, the current study demonstrates that children who relate to their friends in the manner of a secure attachment style are more generous toward their peers in warm as compared to cold conditions. This effect was absent for children who relate to friends in the manner of an insecure attachment style, but, notably, these children not just always shared less: They allocated more stickers to a friend than to a stranger. These findings provide an important first step to understand how fundamental embodied relations develop early in life. We discuss broader implications for grounded cognition and person perception.

Students' Social Positioning in the Language Classroom: Implications for Interaction

by Paul Stone

Forecasting the specific providers that recipients will perceive as unusually supportive

by Edward Orehek

2011, Personal Relationships, 18, 677-696

Perceived support primarily reflects the relationships among specific recipients and providers. These strong... more Perceived support primarily reflects the relationships among specific recipients and providers. These strong relational influences suggest a new approach to interventions: Match specific providers with specific recipients so that unusually supportive relationships emerge. For this approach to be successful, progress must be made on several basic research questions. For example, it must be possible to forecast the specific providers that recipients will perceive as unusually supportive (i.e., forecasting relational support). In 2 studies, support recipients had 3 or 5 conversations with the same providers and reported affect, provider supportiveness, and perceived similarity (Study 2 only) after each conversation. Relational support could be forecasted from recipients' reactions to a single, brief conversation with each provider, even after 4 months had elapsed.

Which Aspects of Interpersonal Experience Count in Judgments of Well-Being?

by Chin Ming Hui

Hui, C. M., Lo, I. Y. M., Bond, M. H., & Kam, C. C. S. (2008). Which aspects of interpersonal experience count in judgments of well-being? Personality and Individual Differences, 44, 501-511.

Past research has shown that domain-specific situational information may shape one’s global affective judgment. Which... more Past research has shown that domain-specific situational information may shape one’s global affective judgment. Which specific dimensions of a domain, however, are used for making these judgments? To address this question in the interpersonal domain, the present research employed a seven-wave, longitudinal design, measuring the average and total amount of an individual’s positive and negative experiences arising from their most frequent social contacts across the prior week. Multilevel analyses showed that neither the average nor the total amount of interpersonal experiences influenced their global affective judgments. However, extraversion and neuroticism did increase the influence of the average amount (not the total amount) of interpersonal experiences on affective judgments. The implications of these moderating effects of personality on valenced interpersonal experiences were discussed.

Dependence regulation in newlywed couples: A prospective examination

by Jaye Derrick

Tempting Fate or Inviting Happiness?

by Jaye Derrick

Guo, Lei and Irene C.L. Ng, (2011) “The co-production of equipment-based services: an interpersonal approach” European Management Journal, Vol. 29, pp43-50

by Irene C L Ng

In outcome-based equipment provision services, the service provider often relies on the client's operand and operant... more In outcome-based equipment provision services, the service provider often relies on the client's operand and operant resources to deliver service outcomes. Successful service co-production is accomplished through the cooperation between individual employees, especially those who span the boundaries of the provider and the client organisations.
This article investigated the effects of interpersonal relationships on service performance.
Through a two-year period field work with two outcome-based maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contracts, we collected abundant qualitative data using indepth interviews and observation. Data analysis proceeded through discourse analysis
and a theory-in-use methodology. Our study revealed that managers are heavily dependent on interpersonal relationships to promote cooperation in service delivery. The role of legal contracts seems insignificant. Furthermore, we noted that, with the development of interpersonal relationships, the cooperation can moved from reciprocal to communal.
That is, at the early stage of relationship, relationship parties cooperate reciprocally by exchanging favours. When their relationship becomes more mature, both would treat each
other as an integral part of the team and work towards collective goals. To that end, service co-production would then be greatly enhanced.

Dysphoria and social interaction: An integration of behavioral confirmation and interpersonal perspectives.

by Eileen Kennedy-Moore

By Alloy, Lauren B.; Fedderly, Sharon Siegel; Kennedy-Moore, Eileen; Cohan, Catherine L.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 74(6), Jun 1998, 1566-1579.

Gender and age differences in cognitive, psychophysiological and behavioural responses of social anxiety in adolescence

by Jose A. Piqueras

Inglés, C.J., Piqueras, J.A., García-Fernández, J.M., García-López, L.J., Delgado, B. y Ruiz-Esteban, C. (2011).  Gender and age differences in cognitive, psychophysiological and behavioural responses of social anxiety in adolescence. Psychology in Spain, 15, 80-86

The aim of this study was to analyze gender and age differences in social anxiety in adolescence through factor scores... more The aim of this study was to analyze gender and age differences in social anxiety in adolescence through factor scores of the Social Phobia subscale of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SP-SPAI): Social Interactions, Focus of Attention, Cognitive and Somatic Symptoms and Avoidance and Escape Behaviours. The sample consisted of 2543 students from secondary schools aged between 12 and 17. Results are shown for the general sample (N = 2543) and for the sample of adolescents classified as high social anxiety group (n = 317). Regarding the first group, girls scored higher on the Social Phobia subscale and all its factors except Avoidance and Escape (d = .32 – .35). As regards the high anxiety group, the analyses revealed that boys avoid and escape from social situations more frequently than girls (d = .23). No age differences were found in the factor scores for either of the two samples.

The Beauty (and Darkness- No Need for Bias Here) of Language

by Poppy Valentine

This thought paper walks through some positive and negative aspects of language- verbal, written & symbolic-... more This thought paper walks through some positive and negative aspects of language- verbal, written & symbolic- depending on their employment & interpretation. This paper also provides advise on how one can become a more effective practitioner of language.

Diferencias de género y edad en respuestas cognitivas, psicofisiológicas y motoras de ansiedad social en la adolescencia

by Jose A. Piqueras

Reference:
Inglés, C.J., Piqueras, J.A., Garcia-Fernandez, J.M., Garcia-Lopez, L.J., Delgado, B. y Ruiz-Esteban, C. (2010). Diferencias de género y edad en respuestas cognitivas, psicofisiológicas y motoras de ansiedad social en la adolescencia. Psicothema, 22, 376-381.

"In Spanish"

The aim of this study was to analyze gender and age differences in adolescents’ social anxiety in the factor scores of... more The aim of this study was to analyze gender and age differences in adolescents’ social anxiety in the factor scores of the Social Phobia subscale from the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SP-SPAI): Social Interactions, Focus of Attention, Cognitive and Somatic Symptoms and Avoidance and Escape Behaviors. The sample consisted of 2,543 students of Secondary Education between 12 and 17 years. Results are shown for the general sample (N= 2,543) and for the sample of adolescents classifi ed as high social anxiety group (n= 317). Regarding the fi rst group, girls obtained higher total scores on the Social Phobia scale and on all factors except for Avoidance and Escape (d= .32 – .35). Concerning the high anxiety group, the analyses revealed that boys avoid and escape from social situations more frequently than girls (d= .23). No age differences were found in the factor scores for any of the two samples.

Seeing yourself as others see you: developing personal attributes in the group rehearsal

by Mark Pulman

British Journal of Music Education, Volume 26, Issue 02, Jul 2009, pp 117-135

An important part of the process that enables us to improve ourselves as musicians in group music making involves... more An important part of the process that enables us to improve ourselves as musicians in group music making involves developing an awareness of our personal attributes as they are displayed in the rehearsal. In order to help students become more aware of themselves and of their band members’ personal attributes as they rehearse, a peer assessment system was established. The project was piloted and developed at Barnsley College and University of Huddersfield (Barnsley Campus) with first year undergraduates on the BA Popular Music course across 2000–2008. Individuals agreed to allow their bands to identify particular personal attributes for each member that, they felt, could be improved and used as peer assessment criteria. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 students over a 4-year period and the following areas emerged as a focus of these: self-knowledge, feedback, confidence, honesty. The study has implications for devising peer assessment systems that are responsive to individual learners and their unique needs. It also suggests the desirability of providing peer assessment activities that might foster trust among participants and, if so, supports the provision of exceptional feedback. Now in its ninth year, this system has been refined into a model.


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Adult attachment and feedback-seeking patterns in relationships and work

by Erica Hepper

Hepper, E. G., & Carnelley, K. B. (2010). Adult attachment and feedback-seeking patterns in relationships and... more Hepper, E. G., & Carnelley, K. B. (2010). Adult attachment and feedback-seeking patterns in relationships and work. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 448-464. DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.636

Adults with different attachment orientations rely on different areas of life to maintain self-views. This paper reports two studies that examine the link between attachment and feedback-seeking patterns in interpersonal and competence-related domains. Participants in Study 1 imagined receiving feedback from a friend. Participants in Study 2 completed dyadic tasks and were promised feedback from interpersonal- and competence-relevant sources. Across both studies, secure individuals consistently chose the most positive feedback. Individuals high in attachment avoidance sought negative feedback over positive, although dismissing-avoidant individuals sought positive hypothetical feedback about autonomy. Study 2 further suggested that highly avoidant individuals were more open to negative feedback than positive feedback and than were secure individuals. Moreover, individuals high in attachment anxiety failed to seek positive interpersonal feedback but pursued interpersonal over competence feedback. Results highlight the role of feedback-seeking in maintenance of positive or negative self-views for adults with different attachment orientations.

Perceived parental reactions to coming out, attachment, and romantic relationship views

by Erica Hepper

Carnelley, K. B., Hepper, E. G., Hicks, C., & Turner, W. (2011). Perceived parental reactions to coming out, attachment, and romantic relationship views. Attachment and Human Development, 13, 217-236. DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2011.563828

Coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) to one’s parents can be a challenging experience and may lead to... more Coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) to one’s parents can be a challenging experience and may lead to acceptance or rejection. Attachment theory can help predict parents’ reactions to coming out and consequences for romantic attachment. In a cross-sectional study of 309 LGB individuals, we found that those who perceived their mother as accepting in childhood were more likely to have come out to her. Moreover, parents perceived as accepting and independence-encouraging in childhood were reported to react more positively to their child’s sexual orientation. Mothers’ positive reactions were associated with lower romantic attachment anxiety for men. The links between parent-child relationship quality and optimism and trust in romantic relationships were mediated by romantic attachment patterns. Findings support the contention that LGB pair bonds are attachment relationships, and underline the importance of prior parent-child relationships for predicting LGB individuals’ experience of coming out and romantic relationships.

The Self-Esteem Roller Coaster: Adult Attachment Moderates the Impact of Daily Feedback

by Erica Hepper

Hepper, E. G., & Carnelley, K. B. (in press). The self-esteem roller coaster: Adult attachment moderates the impact of daily feedback. Personal Relationships.
(The definitive version will be available at www.blackwellsynergy.com)

People with different attachment orientations rely on different sources of self-esteem. This 14-day diary study... more People with different attachment orientations rely on different sources of self-esteem. This 14-day diary study examined the impact of different types of feedback on self-esteem for adults of different attachment orientations. Consistent with theory, higher (vs. lower) anxious participants’ daily self-esteem fluctuated more with daily interpersonal feedback conveying rejection or coming from a romantic partner; they also self-reported stronger reactions to idiosyncratic negative interpersonal feedback. Higher (vs. lower) avoidant participants showed weaker daily self-esteem fluctuation with positive interpersonal feedback, and those with a fearful-avoidant attachment pattern reported stronger reactions to positive agentic feedback. Self-reported emotional reactions mediated links between attachment dimensions and self-reported impact of feedback on self-evaluations. Results highlight the importance of affect-regulation strategies in influencing regulation of self-esteem.

Enacted support’s links to negative affect and perceived support are more consistent with theory when social influences are isolated from trait Influences.

by Edward Orehek

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36, 132-142.

Social support theory typically explains perceived support’s link to mental health as reflecting the role of specific... more Social support theory typically explains perceived support’s link to mental health as reflecting the role of specific supportive actions (i.e., enacted support). Yet enacted support typically is not linked to mental health and perceived support as predicted by theory. The links are examined among enacted support, affect, and perceived support when links reflected (a) aspects of support and affect that generalized across relationship partners and time (i.e., trait influences) and (b) aspects that reflected specific relationship partners (i.e., social influences). Multivariate generalizability analyses indicated that enacted support was linked to low negative affect as predicted by theory only when correlations reflected social influences. When correlations reflected trait influences, enacted support was linked to high negative affect. Furthermore, perceived and enacted support were strongly linked when correlations reflected social influences but not trait influences. Thus, findings for enacted support fit social support theory better when social influences were isolated from trait influences.