Pursuing Interpersonal Value

doi:10.1017/9781108645836.011

10 - Pursuing Interpersonal Value

An Interdependence Perspective

from Part III - Interdependence, Goal Pursuit, and Person Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 June 2020

Edward P. Lemay

Edited by

Laura V. Machia ,

Christopher R. Agnew and

Ximena B. Arriaga

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Laura V. Machia: Affiliation:
Syracuse University, New York
Christopher R. Agnew: Affiliation:
Purdue University, Indiana
Ximena B. Arriaga: Affiliation:
Purdue University, Indiana

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Summary

The quality of interactions and relationships depends on the thoughts and feelings of both partners. Hence, people often try to manage the thoughts and feelings others have about them. This chapter reports the results of a program of research examining the role of interpersonal value goals – goals to be valued as a relationship partner – in interpersonal interactions and relationships. This research suggests that adopting the goal to be valued by others often motivates people to enact prosocial behaviors and adopt compassionate goals, and elicits positive responses from partners. The link between interpersonal value goals and prosocial behavior was particularly strong when participants endorsed lay theories that prosocial behavior elevates people’s interpersonal value and when they were immersed in relationship contexts in which specific partners rewarded their prosocial behavior, suggesting that selection of prosocial strategies as a means to pursue interpersonal value depends on explicit and tacit knowledge of interdependence.

Keywords

Close relationships prosocial behavior commitment communal motivation compassionate goals self-image goals self-presentation approval responsiveness security

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Type: Chapter
Information: Interdependence, Interaction, and Close Relationships , pp. 204 - 224

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108645836.011 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2020

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