Theories of *Relationships and Their Influence on Relationship Satisfaction and Relationship Processes

95 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002.The causal role of implicit theories in romantic relationships was investigated in two studies. The central goal of these studies was to determine the influence of the soulmate and work-it-out theories on relationship satisfaction and the processes that affect relationship satisfaction. In both studies, participants in a relationship were induced to hold either the soulmate or work-it-out theory. In Study 1, college students (N = 76) then completed a set of questionnaires, including measures of relationship satisfaction. For those induced to hold the soulmate theory, feelings that one's specific partner was ideal was associated with relationship satisfaction more strongly than for those induced to hold the work-it-out theory. In Study 2, college students' (N = 92) beliefs about their relationships were threatened, and then participants' strategies for reducing this threat were assessed. For those induced to hold the soulmate theory, participants who were threatened who believed that they were with the right person were more likely to make relationship-enhancing distortions than for those induced to hold the work-it-out theory. Those who believed that they were not with the right person were less likely to make relationship-enhancing distortions when induced to hold the soulmate theory versus the work-it-out theory. These studies demonstrate the causal role of implicit theories in influencing relationship satisfaction and the underlying processes.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Prevalence of Rape Myths in Headlines and their Effects on Attitudes Toward Rape Victims

The present research investigated the prevalence and effects of rape myths in newspaper headlines. In study 1, a content analysis of online news headlines from US media (N = 555) surrounding the 2003–2004 Kobe Bryant sexual assault case showed that 10% endorsed a rape myth. In study 2, students at a mid-sized university in the mid-western USA (N = 154) read headlines endorsing or not endorsing rape myths. Male participants exposed to myth-endorsing headlines were (a) less likely to think Bryant was guilty than those exposed to non-myth headlines, (b) more likely to hold rape-supportive attitudes than those exposed to non-myth headlines, and (c) more likely to hold rape-supportive attitudes than were female participants exposed to myth-endorsing headlines

Stand by Your Man Indirect Prescriptions for Honorable Violence and Feminine Loyalty in Canada, Chile, and the United States

Cultural values emphasizing female loyalty, sacrifice, and male honor may indirectly sanction relationship violence and reward women who remain in abusive relationships. Two studies compare participants from subcultures emphasizing honor (Latinos and southern Anglos in Study 1, Chileans in Study 2) and subcultures without strong honor traditions (northern U.S. Anglos in Study 1, Anglo-Canadians in Study 2). In Study 1, participants watch a videotape of a woman describing an abusive relationship. Participants from honor cultures are relatively more favorable to the woman if she stays in the relationship, compared to northerners. In Study 2, Chilean and Canadian students listen to audiotapes of a husband describing a violent conflict with his wife. Chileans rate the husband and his actions more positively than Canadians do when the conflict is jealousy related (perceived flirting), but no cultural differences are found when the conflict is unrelated to jealousy (spending too much money)

Prevalence and Effects of Rape Myths in the Media: The Kobe Bryant Case

Two studies examine the prevalence and effects of rape myths in the print media covering a real-life case of alleged sexual assault. Study 1 was an archival study of 156 sources from around the country. Articles about the Kobe Bryant case were coded for instances of rape myths, among other variables. Of the articles, 65 mentioned at least one rape myth (with “she\u27s lying” being the single most common myth perpetuated). Study 2 assessed participants\u27 (N = 62) prior knowledge of the Bryant case and exposed them to a myth-endorsing or myth-challenging article about the case. Those exposed to the myth-endorsing article were more likely to believe that Bryant was not guilty and the alleged victim was lying. The implications for victim reporting and reducing sexual assault in general are discussed