Interpersonal Power in Intimate Relationships

Goal & Concept

Goal

The goal of this exercise is to explore interpersonal power in dating, cohabiting, and married couples. Crosstabulation and comparison of means will be used.

Concept

Historically in the United States heterosexual relationships have followed a patriarchal model where men are the dominant partners. However over the past century changes to women's roles in the public and private spheres have altered gendered power dynamics, so much so that research shows that over 90% of both men and women now say they believe that partners should have an equal say in the relationship.

Interpersonal power in intimate relationships is multi-dimensional. It may mean one partner's ability to reward; coerce; have one's legitimate authority recognized; command reference (respect/love); claim expertise; or hold information. Partners may have different levels of power in different aspects of the relationship.

Perceived and real power dynamics in intimate relationships have important consequences ranging from relationship happiness to health and safety risks.

Examples of research questions about interpersonal power in intimate relationships:

• What are the different types of power at play in intimate relationships?
• Is power related to relationship satisfaction, and if so, how?
• Do men and women communicate power differently?
• Do men and women exercise power differently?
• How much power do women have compared to men?
• Does the type and locus of power vary based on the type and importance of decisions made?
• Does the nature of the relationship (dating, cohabitating, or married) affect power dynamics?

Goal & Concept - Dataset - Application - Interpretation & Summary - Bibliography