The Effects of Disagreement on the Continuation of an Interpersonal Relationship

Abstract

A laboratory procedure for developing a positive relationship between strangers is introduced for the purpose of examining the effects of a cost, in the form of a disagreement, on the continuation of that relationship. It is hypothesized that after a disagreement subjects will select fewer and less intimate topics to discuss with their partner and speak for a shorter duration than subjects who agree. Furthermore, subjects disagreeing on an intimate issue will withdraw more than subjects disagreeing on a superficial issue. Sixty female undergraduates and a female confederate exchanged information about themselves over eight trials that became increasingly intimate. The confederate then agreed or disagreed with the subject on a superficial or intimate issue. The subject again selected topics to discuss with the confederate. Disagreeing subjects selected significantly fewer topics than did agreeing subjects. No other significant effects were found.

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