Theories behind Interpersonal Relationship - Essay Example

? Due Interpersonal Relationship Introduction Understanding theories of relationships can help us improve our own romantic relationships, as the theories offer different practical implications. According to Gross (2010), interpersonal relationship refers to peaceful coexistence between individuals in their immediate societal environment based on their interest, skills, gender and professional skills. This enables a quicker delivery at workplaces and returns a positive ambience understanding these theories therefore contributes in improving romantic relationships since they give different implications. The theories behind interpersonal relationship include socio-biological, reinforcement and economic theory. Socio-biological theory explains that main aim of relationship is to produce and ensure continuation of genes. Men seek youthful looking women while women too seek men with money and status to provide for their off spring. According to many psychologists, symmetrical faces are more attractive across different cultures. Since abnormal genes cause lack of symmetry in faces. To improve romantic relationships, opposite sex look for attractive people to maintain and enjoy their relationships. McGraw (2000) explains that on the social media, cases of broken relationship hit headlines because of different taste. Some will fall in relationship for many reasons. For instance, a young man may seek an older rich woman not for reproduction but to source wealth. The same applies to young women who seek older married men to take care of their need but not to have a family. Another theory which supports interpersonal relationship is reinforcement and need satisfaction which is based on the explanation that, people are attracted to individuals who can give rewards such as care, money, sex, love and respect. While those individuals who are not able to provide such rewards are ignored. This reflects individualistic cultures in the society. Research has showed that this theory of reinforcement increases possibility feelings of interpersonal relationships. Motives behind this theory are: biological needs, affiliation, dependency, dependency, dominance, sex, aggression and self esteem. In normal situation, many people form relationship so as to benefit from the outcome. For example, a woman may be in relationship with a man not for love or sex but to seek comfort in times of need or when emotionally disturbed. While other form it to benefit fully to satisfy their needs as in terms of money, sex and love with the aim of improving romantic love. Other needs of romantic relationships depend on operant conditioning where there is a direct reward for instance giving attention among each other. Classical conditioning focus on partners association while in relationship. This improves relationship in that friends accepted with those in romantic relationship get support from them. This theory’s strength lies on the fact that all the parties benefit from each other for support. This contributes to lasting relationship hence encourages formation of youth groups and clubs for support and needs. With the help of clubs, groups, members of that group get to understand their members well and this leads to romantic relationship in some cases since most of the time they spend and share their time, problems together as a group. Nevertheless, the major weakness of this theory is that one may take the advantage of knowing each other’s need and start ignoring their members to suffer as they rejoice on the downfall. It also promotes hatred among the friends because one may feel unwanted among the best performing for instance class where the teacher may discard and group the students in their performance. Students therefore develop a bad attitude towards that particular teacher and subject as a whole hence contributes to poor performance. It is therefore advisable for all giving the reward to be fair enough and consider that everybody is a winner but there must be the best amongst them. Another theory in support of interpersonal relationship is economic theory which aims at promoting equitability of recourses or trading. It also compost of exchange of these resources among individuals of the same interest. This theory is broad in the sense that it is divided into social exchange theory and equity theories. Dwyer (2000) notes that economic theory aims at promote relationship in that when most people interact, they tend to share problems economically between themselves and hence contributes to growth of country’s economic interests besides individual making gains from their business sectors. In understanding romantic relationship, this theory plays a major role because when two people who are in love meet to discuss business or management of work, they understand each other properly compared to strangers who do not know one’s interest and skills. It does not entail those in love alone but encompasses people of the same interest to that particular taste and goal. People are not looking for a relationship in which they can over benefit, but one in which the rewards for both parties are equal. Social Theory Since all interpersonal relationships are based on give-take, the equality of this exchange is based on the feeling how individuals depend on one another for help focusing on input and output of the relationship, relationship type and chance of securing better existence while in relationship. The ratio of giving and taking is developed through a comparison level for fair distribution of these resources in the society. Dwyer (2000) is of the opinion that comparison level varies in relationship in that some of the family members will receive more compared to others who give out. It is mostly evident in daily situation at home where one party will receive more from the other party. In most cases, women get more compared to men in relationships. This tends to strengthen the coexistence in relationship hence making this the strength of social theory. This theory has one weakness of break up in case the individual giving does not meet the required standard of letting go to the person. One is therefore forced to seek somewhere he or she will get as expected to meet the needs. Research has showed that long term relationships and friendships undergo four stages namely: sampling, bargaining, commitment and institutionalization whereby sampling entails rewards and cost exploration. Bargaining on the other hand is the process whereby costs and reward is agreed upon. Commitment is the great focus of relationship where there is acceptance and exchange of reward for stability. The fourth stage is institutional, where norms and expectations are established for a firm relationship. Equity theory According to Gross (2010), this theory focuses on equal giving and taking of rewards. If one takes little then this contributes to lose of control in the relationship. Most will feel happy when there is balance of such distributions and hence promotes fairness in the societal norms. This explains why long term relationship is more emotional compared to short term such as soft loans and credits. Even though in short term relationship is short, the rewards or benefits an individual get from it makes one feel happy hence encourages the relation for support when in need. In normal situation, friends seek their friends when in urgent need for short loans. This practice strengthens the relation with opposite sexes since they will believe in making the relationship more strong as maintenance. Another example is where a man decides to take a woman for holiday. This explains best how short money spent on holiday results to long term relationship term. In conclusion, is it clear that interpersonal relationship plays a major role in our societies for the growth and development of an individual desires. The theories of interpersonal relationships also play a role in defining this situation in each and everyone’s love life. The implications of these theories are important in a long lasting relationship. References Dwyer, D 2000, Interpersonal relationships, London, Routledge. Gross, R 2010, Psychology science of mind and behavior, Britain: Hodder Education; 6th Revised edition. McGraw, P. C 2000, Relationship rescue: a seven step strategy for reconnecting with your partner, New York, Hyperion. Read More