Commitment readiness and relationship formation

The concept of being ready for a relationship is pervasive in popular culture, but theoretical and empirical research on readiness is lacking. We offer a conceptualization of commitment readiness and provide some of the first empirical work examining readiness among single individuals—specifically how this construct shapes various aspects of relationship formation. Using data from five independent samples of individuals not involved in romantic relationships, we first establish that commitment readiness is associated with more interest in developing a close romantic relationship (Studies 1a, 1b, 2) and with active pursuit of relationship initiation (Study 2). We then test whether readiness among single individuals longitudinally predicts both the likelihood of later entering a relationship and, ultimately, how committed individuals are to a future relationship (Studies 3a, 3b, 3c). Implications of commitment readiness specifically, and perceived personal timing more generally, for the social psychology of relationships are discussed. </jats:p

The L 98-59 System: Three Transiting, Terrestrial-size Planets Orbiting a Nearby M Dwarf

We report the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) discovery of three terrestrial-size planets transiting L 98-59 (TOI-175, TIC 307210830)—a bright M dwarf at a distance of 10.6 pc. Using the Gaia-measured distance and broadband photometry, we find that the host star is an M3 dwarf. Combined with the TESS transits from three sectors, the corresponding stellar parameters yield planet radii ranging from 0.8 R ⊕ to 1.6 R ⊕. All three planets have short orbital periods, ranging from 2.25 to 7.45 days with the outer pair just wide of a 2:1 period resonance. Diagnostic tests produced by the TESS Data Validation Report and the vetting package DAVE rule out common false-positive sources. These analyses, along with dedicated follow-up and the multiplicity of the system, lend confidence that the observed signals are caused by planets transiting L 98-59 and are not associated with other sources in the field. The L 98-59 system is interesting for a number of reasons: the host star is bright (V = 11.7 mag, K = 7.1 mag) and the planets are prime targets for further follow-up observations including precision radial-velocity mass measurements and future transit spectroscopy with the James Webb Space Telescope; the near-resonant configuration makes the system a laboratory to study planetary system dynamical evolution; and three planets of relatively similar size in the same system present an opportunity to study terrestrial planets where other variables (age, metallicity, etc.) can be held constant. L 98-59 will be observed in four more TESS sectors, which will provide a wealth of information on the three currently known planets and have the potential to reveal additional planets in the system

New Insights on Planet Formation in WASP-47 from a Simultaneous Analysis of Radial Velocities and Transit Timing Variations

Measuring precise planet masses, densities, and orbital dynamics in individual planetary systems is an important pathway toward understanding planet formation. The WASP-47 system has an unusual architecture that motivates a complex formation theory. The system includes a hot Jupiter ("b") neighbored by interior ("e") and exterior ("d") sub-Neptunes, and a long-period eccentric giant planet ("c"). We simultaneously modeled transit times from the Kepler K2 mission and 118 radial velocities to determine the precise masses, densities, and Keplerian orbital elements of the WASP-47 planets. Combining RVs and TTVs provides a better estimate of the mass of planet d (13.6 ± 2.0,M_⊕) than that obtained with only RVs (12.75 ± 2.70,M_⊕) or TTVs (16.1 3.8, M_⊕). Planets e and d have high densities for their size, consistent with a history of photoevaporation and/or formation in a volatile-poor environment. Through our RV and TTV analysis, we find that the planetary orbits have eccentricities similar to the solar system planets. The WASP-47 system has three similarities to our own solar system: (1) the planetary orbits are nearly circular and coplanar, (2) the planets are not trapped in mean motion resonances, and (3) the planets have diverse compositions. None of the current single-process exoplanet formation theories adequately reproduce these three characteristics of the WASP-47 system (or our solar system). We propose that WASP-47, like the solar system, formed in two stages: first, the giant planets formed in a gas-rich disk and migrated to their present locations, and second, the high-density sub-Neptunes formed in situ in a gas-poor environment

When Temptations Aren’t Tempting: The Autonomy and Derogation of Alternatives Model

The perception of attractive alternative partners is a major threat to people’s commitment to their romantic relationships. In response, people derogate the attractiveness of such alternatives in an attempt to maintain commitment, which researchers refer to as derogation of alternatives. Relationships researchers have amassed a considerable body of work on this phenomenon which finds that derogation occurs as a function of commitment, such that higher commitment is associated with more derogation. This dissertation sought to integrate self-determination theory with the derogation literature by both proposing and testing the Autonomy and Derogation of Alternatives Model (ADAM). In sum, this research tested whether people high in relationship autonomy are not as threatened by attractive alternatives, and thus do not exhibit the same pattern of derogation as people low in relationship autonomy. Additionally, the research tested the potential moderating role of relationship autonomy regarding the effects of defensive mechanisms on commitment. In three studies, people were asked to judge the attractiveness of people in photographs. Study 1 employed a cross-sectional design that examined the possible moderating role of relationship autonomy in college students. Study 2 employed an experimental design that manipulated relationship autonomy in order to test the causal role of motivation. Finally, Study 3 used a cross-sectional design to test the generalizability of these effects in a non-college student sample. Results largely did not support the ADAM, finding limited evidence that relationship autonomy moderated the association between commitment and ratings. Of notable exception is Study 2, in which experimentally manipulated relationship autonomy marginally moderated the interaction between commitment and threat condition. Further, relationship autonomy was unexpectedly found to predict lower perceptions of attractiveness, suggesting that relationship autonomy may itself increase derogation of alternativesPsychology, Department o

When Caring about Me Is Caring about You: Interpersonal Goals as Manifestations of Self-Determination in Romantic Relationships

Research has examined the role of self-determination in relationships has focused solely on the self, and has ignored how relationship autonomy relates to increased focus on one’s partner. Recent work on interpersonal goals may provide insight into the dyadic nature of relationship autonomy. The present research explored the link between these two theoretical concepts in order to explain the nature of self-determination in relationships. I examined how relationship autonomy is associated with desire to support one’s partner as well as reduction in self-focus. The study had 99 undergraduates report on their relationship autonomy and interpersonal goals. Participants kept a record of their experiences in their relationships over the course of 14 days. The results revealed that relationship autonomy was associated with higher compassionate goals, lower self-image goals, and better relationship quality (e.g., satisfaction, support, and response to conflict). However, evidence for a mediational link with interpersonal goals was less consistent.Psychology, Department o

Not all ideals are equal: Intrinsic and extrinsic ideals in relationships.

The ideal standards model suggests that greater consistency between ideal standards and actual perceptions of one’s relationship predicts positive relationship evaluations; however, no research has evaluated whether this differs across types of ideals. A self-determination theory perspective was derived to test whether satisfaction of intrinsic ideals buffers the importance of extrinsic ideals. Participants (N =195) in committed relationships directly and indirectly reported the extent to which their partner met their ideal on two dimensions: intrinsic (e.g., warm, intimate) and extrinsic (e.g., attractive, successful). Relationship need fulfillment and relationship quality were also assessed. Hypotheses were largely supported, such that satisfaction of intrinsic ideals more strongly predicted relationship functioning, and satisfaction of intrinsic ideals buffered the relevance of extrinsic ideals for outcomes