Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Developmental and dyadic perspectives on commitment in adult romantic relationships
M Minda Oriña1, W Andrew Collins, Jeffry A Simpson
1St. Olaf College, Psychology Department, Northfield, MN 55057, USA. orina@stolaf.edu
Psychological Science
|May 28, 2011
Summary
Early life experiences, like caregiver support and adolescent conflict resolution, predict becoming the "weak-link" (less committed) partner in adult romantic relationships. Lower commitment and greater commitment discrepancies correlate with relationship hostility.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Understanding the developmental origins of relationship commitment is crucial for adult romantic partnerships.
- Identifying predictors of the "weak-link" phenomenon (unequal commitment) can inform relationship interventions.
- Previous research has not fully explored early life factors influencing commitment discrepancies in young adult relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental roots of becoming the less committed partner in adult romantic relationships.
- To examine the association between partners' absolute and relative commitment levels and dyadic outcomes.
- To identify early childhood and adolescent predictors of the weak-link status in romantic relationships.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 78 individuals from birth to ages 20-21.
- Assessed caregiver support in toddlerhood and conflict resolution with friends in midadolescence.
- Evaluated romantic relationship commitment levels and observed couple conflict-resolution interactions at age 20-21.
Main Results:
- Lower quality caregiver support in toddlerhood predicted becoming the weak-link partner.
- Poorer conflict resolution skills with friends in midadolescence also predicted weak-link status.
- Low commitment by the weak-link partner and significant commitment discrepancies predicted increased couple hostility during conflict resolution.
Conclusions:
- Early life experiences significantly shape commitment dynamics in adult romantic relationships.
- Commitment discrepancies, particularly when one partner is less committed, are linked to negative dyadic outcomes like hostility.
- Findings highlight the enduring impact of developmental factors on relationship quality and stability.
Related Concept Videos
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.
01:28Hazan and Shaver's Attachment Styles
Attachment theory, developed initially to explain infant–caregiver bonds, has been extended to illuminate patterns of intimacy in adult romantic relationships. Psychologists Cindy Hazan and Phillip Shaver proposed that the attachment styles observed in infancy form a framework for how individuals approach emotional closeness and conflict in adulthood. These attachment styles—secure, avoidant, and anxious—are linked to enduring patterns of behavior and emotional regulation in adult relationships.
01:27Relationship Growth
Interpersonal relationships progress through stages, beginning with awareness and moving toward mutuality, where emotional connections deepen. While many relationships remain at moderate levels of mutuality, deeper connections form through self-disclosure, trust, and interdependence.Self-DisclosureSelf-disclosure involves revealing personal information, starting with surface-level details and gradually progressing to more intimate content. As trust grows, individuals feel more comfortable...
01:24Attachment Styles
Jeffrey Simpson's attachment theory suggests that early caregiver relationships shape lasting patterns of behavior and emotional regulation, known as attachment styles. These patterns are organized along two key dimensions: self-esteem and interpersonal trust. The intersection of these dimensions produces four primary attachment styles that typically persist throughout life and significantly influence how individuals form and maintain relationships.Secure Attachment StyleIndividuals with a...
01:27Companionate Love
Companionate love is a fundamental aspect of long-term relationships, characterized by deep affection, mutual respect, and emotional intimacy. Unlike passionate love, which is driven by intense emotions and physical attraction but often declines over time, companionate love remains stable and can even strengthen with shared experiences and commitment. Psychological and biological mechanisms underpin this enduring form of love, influencing relationship longevity and satisfaction.Stability and...
02:15Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
We typically love the people with whom we form relationships, but the type of love we have for our family, friends, and lovers differs. Robert Sternberg (1986) proposed that there are three components of love: intimacy, passion, and commitment. These three components form a triangle that defines multiple types of love: this is known as Sternberg’s triangular theory of love. Intimacy is the sharing of details and intimate thoughts and emotions. Passion is the physical attraction—the flame in the...