Odd Bedfellows: Self- and Partner-Enhancement in the Communication of Commitment. Issue 2 (15th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weigel, Daniel J.; Ballard-Reisch, Deborah S.; Davis, Bret A.
• Is Part Of: Western journal of communication. Volume 85:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 188
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15
• Subjects: Commitment -- Communication Of Commitment -- Partner-Enhancement -- Perceptual Alignment -- Self-Enhancement; Oral communication -- Periodicals; 428.3
• DOI: 10.1080/10570314.2019.1691252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-0314

Abstract

Abstract : This research examined self- and partner-enhancement biases in the everyday communication of commitment. A total of 189 romantic heterosexual couples completed a survey measuring self- and partner-reports of the communication of commitment. Women self-enhanced in their perceptions of their partner's attempts at communicating commitment, while men partner-enhanced. Further, women's self-enhancement and men's partner-enhancement resulted in their perceptions of each other's expressions of commitment being more closely aligned than self-reported expressions of commitment. Taken together, rather than being a detriment, bias in the everyday communication of commitment is an important aspect of how couples sustain commitment in their relationships.