Jerold L. Hale

An experimental investigation of accounts and attributions following sexual infidelity

This study experimentally investigated accounts and attributions following sexual infidelity. Hypotheses predicted that differences in the infidelity (i.e., intent and revenge) would influence attributions about, and accounts generated to explain, the infidelity. Specific predictions also linked account production to attribution patterns. Students read a scenario that described a sexual infidelity performed by either a male or female, either intentionally or unintentionally, and being either revenge‐driven or not driven by revenge. Results indicate that revenge had a strong impact on attributions and accounts, whereas intent only inversely influenced the production of guilt. Relationships between accounts and attributions were consistent with predictions; however, the account category of silence reflected strong levels of responsibility, blame, and guilt yet was interpreted as quite aggravating. Consistent with traditional and modern sexual double standards, findings indicated sex differences in both acco...

Close Relationships in Task Environments Perceptions of Relational Types, Illicitness, and Power

This article reports on the impact of the perceived motivations of participants of organizational romances, the illicitness of the relationship, and the power of the relational participants upon individual and group performance. Interviews conducted with 128 observers indicated that (a) only certain types of relationships showed associations with either category of organizational effectiveness indexes, (b) illicitness was generally associated with negative outcomes in the work group, but not in the involved individuals, and (c) neither the power of the participants nor the differences in power between them was reliably associated with declines in either individual performance or work group functioning.

INTIMACY, PASSION, AND COMMITMENT IN YOUNG ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS: SUCCESSFULLY MEASURING THE TRIANGULAR THEORY OF LOVE

The previous tests of the Triangular Theory of Love have proven problematic, specifically centered on measurement of the three components of Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment. Factor analysis of a new set of measures for 123 women and 110 men indicated support for three distinct factors. Sex differences indicated that women scored significantly higher on Intimacy and Commitment than men. Components were also significantly related to a measure of Relational Satisfaction. Regression analysis indicated that each component predicted significant variance for scores on Satisfaction.

A test of the theory of reasoned action in the context of condom use and AIDS

The theory of reasoned action (TRA) was employed as a framework for understanding adolescents’ behavior that could put them at risk for contracting AIDS. The TRA focuses on the role of subjective norms and attitudes toward behavior to predict behavioral intentions and risk‐avoidance behavior (condom use). Adolescent participants (N = 492) in three groups (8th grade, 11/12th grade, and early college) filled out questionnaires. Results supported Ajzen and Fishbeins contentions regarding the role of attitude and subjective norms, but subjective norms also functioned as a predictor of attitudes. Additional evidence indicated models by gender and sexual experience were different. For sexually active adolescents, attitude was a better predictor of both behavioral intentions and condom use than subjective norms, but for sexually inactive adolescents, subjective norm was a better predictor. For male adolescents, subjective norm was a better predictor of both behavioral intentions and condom use than attitude, bu...

Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment among Married Individuals: Further Testing of the Triangular Theory of Love:

The Triangular Theory of Love has created much interest among researchers in relational communication. Previous attempts at evaluating the theory have proven problematic. Specifically, the problems centered around the measurement of the theorys three components of intimacy, passion, commitment. Recent research, which employed a new measure, offered support for the theorys primary assumptions. To expand upon this, the current study factor analyzed data from a sample of 213 married individuals. Current results provided support for the triangular theorys primary assumptions. The principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation indicated support for three distinct and reliable factors. The three components were also significantly related to scores for relational satisfaction. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that each component was a significant predictor of relational satisfaction. Men scored significantly higher on intimacy than women.

Identifying and Characterizing Goals of Dating Partners Engaging in Serial Argumentation

Interpersonal argument that is ongoing and unresolved has not received extensive research attention. To learn more about the nature of these serial arguments, the current study sought to identify and establish the goals of dating partners when engaging in serial argument episodes. Qualitative and quantitative cluster analysis techniques were utilized to categorize the serial arguing goals provided by 324 undergraduates in two stages of data collection. Results reveal that 10 goal clusters characterize serial argument episodes within dating relationships. These goals are defined and discussed in light of existing argument research.

Negative Jealousy-Related Emotion Rumination as Consequences of Romantic Partner, Cross-Sex Friend, and Sibling Jealousy Expression

Negative jealousy-related emotion and rumination are examined as consequences of a close relational partners jealousy expression. Specifically, relationship type (i.e., sibling relationships, cross-sex friendships, and dating partners) and three of Guerrero et al.s (1995) forms of jealousy expression (i.e., distributive communication, integrative communication, and negative affect expression) are compared according to negative jealousy-related emotion and rumination following a hypothetical partner jealousy expression situation. Siblings and dating partners reported experiencing more intense negative emotion than cross-sex friends after partner jealousy expression. Further, participants reported ruminating more after their partners used distributive communication compared with integrative communication or negative affect expression to express jealousy. Emotional intensity did not vary according to type of jealousy expression and rumination did not vary with regard to relationship type. Practical and theoretical implications for the study of negative emotion, rumination, and partner jealousy expression are discussed.

Effects of Event Type and Sex on Comforting Messages.

The effects of event type, sex of participant, and sex of target on comforting messages were examined. Comforting messages were more sensitive in response to major events than to daily events. Females generally comforted more sensitively than did males. Comforting messages directed toward females were more sensitive than messages directed toward males. Participants were shown to have overestimated the quality of their comforting responses.

Prosocialness and sequential request compliance techniques: Limits to the foot‐in‐the door and the door‐in‐the‐face?

Although there is agreement that the prosocialness of the target request moderates the effectiveness of the foot‐in‐the‐door and the door‐in‐the‐face, there is controversy regarding the form of that effect. In this paper we report a test of competing explanations of the influence of prosocialness on the effects of the two sequential request techniques. The results indicated that prosocialness did influence compliance, but that it had no demonstrable impact on the operation of either of the sequential request techniques. Effects were also obtained for both of the sequential request techniques. Discussion focuses on reconciliation of these findings with previous summaries of the literature.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment: Testing the Assumptions of the Triangular Theory of Love

Using data from two previous studies, the current study tested the assumptions in the Triangular Theory of Love about changes in intimacy, passion, and commitment over time. Using a cross-sectional design, the study examined differences in the three components among 446 romantically involved individuals who were either casually dating, exclusively dating, engaged, or married. In support for the assumptions in the Triangular Theory specifically, analyses indicated significant negative partial correlations between intimacy and relationship length as well as between passion and relationship length. The correlation between commitment and relationship length was significant and positive. One-way analysis of variance of relational stage gave similar results. Reported intimacy and passion scores were lowest for participants who were casually dating, higher for participants who were engaged, and lower for married participants. Reported commitment scores increased from casually dating participants to the married participants.