Sex-Role Attitudes, Social Comparison, and Satisfaction with Relationships

• Published in: Social psychology quarterly Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 169 - 180
• Main Authors: Vanyperen, Nico W., Buunk, Bram P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Sociological Association 01-06-1991; American Sociological Association, etc
• Subjects: Attitudes; Behavior. Attitude; Beliefs; Biological and medical sciences; Child care; Dating; Egalitarianism; Equity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender roles; Housekeeping; Interpersonal Relations; Intimate relationships; Men; Netherlands; Personal relationships; Psychological attitudes; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Reference Groups; Research Notes; Satisfaction; Sex Differences; Sex roles; Sexes; Social attitudes; Social comparison; Social factors; Social life & customs; Social psychology; Social research; Spouses; Women; Working women; Social comparison; Human; Marital relation; Attitude; Social interaction; Satisfaction; Interpersonal relation; Gender role
• ISSN: 0190-2725; 1939-8999
• DOI: 10.2307/2786934

In the present study, we were interested in whether satisfaction with relationships is related more strongly to equity comparison with the partner or with a reference group. We tested two non-exclusive hypotheses derived from social comparison theory. First, we expected that the association between satisfaction and comparison with the partner would be stronger among individuals with egalitarian sex-role beliefts, whereas among individuals adhering to traditional sex-role beliefs, satisfaction would be related more closely to comparison with a reference group (the similarity hypothesis). Second, we predicted that comparisons with others, including the partner, would be related more strongly to satisfaction among individuals who feel uncertain about how things are going in their relationship (the uncertainty reduction hypothesis). We found partial support for both hypotheses: 1) comparison withe the partner was particularly important among women with egalitarian sex-role beliefs; and 2) the predicted differences between certain and uncertain men and women were found only with regard to comparison with a reference group. Furthermore, individuals with egalitarian sex-role beliefs felt more uncertain about their relationship and were less satisfed with their relationship, particularly among women. The results are discussed with respect to the future of egalitarian intimate relationships.