Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Relationship Formation

Relationship Formation

What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...

Group Polarization

Group Polarization

Group polarization is the strengthening of an original group attitude following the discussion of views within a group (Teger & Pruitt, 1967). That is, if a group initially favors a viewpoint, after discussion the group consensus is likely a stronger endorsement of the viewpoint. Conversely, if the group was initially opposed to a viewpoint, group discussion would likely lead to stronger opposition.

Social Exchange Theory

Social Exchange Theory

We have discussed why we form relationships, what attracts us to others, and different types of love. But what determines whether we are satisfied with and stay in a relationship? One theory that provides an explanation is social exchange theory. According to social exchange theory, we act as naïve economists in keeping a tally of the ratio of costs and benefits of forming and maintaining a relationship with others (Rusbult & Van Lange, 2003).

In- and Out-Groups

In- and Out-Groups

People all belong to a gender, race, age, and social economic group. These groups provide a powerful source of our identity and self-esteem (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and serve as our in-groups. An in-group is a group that we identify with or see ourselves as belonging to.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love

Sternberg'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...

Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation

Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation

Power motivation and achievement motivation are two essential social motives identified by psychologist David McClelland. These motives influence behavior in various personal and professional contexts, shaping how individuals interact with others and pursue their goals.
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Men's dependence in intimate relationships has broader harm beyond men's wellbeing.

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2026

Same author

Comparing Trait-Wise and Profile-Wise Approaches to Assess the Links Between Metaperceptions and Romantic Interest During Speed-Dating.

Personality & social psychology bulletin·2026

Same author

The Hidden Costs of Authority Transfer Relationships.

Archives of sexual behavior·2026

Same author

Women Are Slightly More Sexually Satisfied in Their Romantic Relationships Than Men: An Integrative Data Analytic Approach.

Archives of sexual behavior·2026

Same author

Bias in Perceptions of Power in Close Relationships: The Role of Self-Protection, Pro-Relationship, and Power Motives.

Personality & social psychology bulletin·2026

Same author

Power, sexism, and aggression in intimate relationships.

Current opinion in psychology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Published on: September 28, 2018

Power and Ideology in Close Relationships.

Nickola C Overall¹, Matthew D Hammond²

¹School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;

Annual Review of Psychology

|September 3, 2025

Summary

Relationship power dynamics reveal how an individual's power (actor power) and their partner's power (partner power) shape relationship behaviors. Power imbalances influence need fulfillment, aggression, and accommodation, often influenced by societal ideologies.

Keywords:

benevolent sexism hostile sexism interdependence power asymmetries relationship power structural power

More Related Videos

How to Find Effects of Stimulus Processing on Event Related Brain Potentials of Close Others when Hyperscanning Partners

How to Find Effects of Stimulus Processing on Event Related Brain Potentials of Close Others when Hyperscanning Partners

Published on: May 31, 2018

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Published on: January 17, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Published on: September 28, 2018

How to Find Effects of Stimulus Processing on Event Related Brain Potentials of Close Others when Hyperscanning Partners

How to Find Effects of Stimulus Processing on Event Related Brain Potentials of Close Others when Hyperscanning Partners

Published on: May 31, 2018

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling

Published on: January 17, 2025

Area of Science:

Social Psychology
Relationship Science
Sociology

Background:

Power dynamics significantly influence interpersonal interactions within close relationships.
Societal structures and ideologies often create and reinforce power imbalances.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for relationship health and functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and synthesize research on how actor power and partner power affect relationship behaviors.
To examine the role of structural power asymmetries and ideologies in shaping relationship power dynamics.
To highlight the multifaceted nature of power in relationships, including symmetries and asymmetries.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies examining power in close relationships.
Analysis of how individual and partner power levels predict specific behaviors.
Exploration of the influence of external structural power and ideologies on relationship perceptions and actions.

Main Results:

High-power individuals prioritize their own needs, while low-power individuals may inhibit needs, aggress, or manipulate.
Individuals accommodate high-power partners but may neglect or protect low-power partners.
Gender ideologies, such as hostile and benevolent sexism, illustrate how competitive and cooperative ideologies shape behavioral responses to power.

Conclusions:

Actor and partner power, relationship and structural power, and power symmetries/asymmetries are critical factors in relationship behavior.
Competitive and cooperative ideologies mediate the effects of power on relationship dynamics.
A comprehensive understanding requires considering multiple dimensions of power and their ideological underpinnings.