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Commitment and Trust in Close Relationships

An Interdependence Analysis

  • Chapter
Handbook of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability

Part of the book series: Perspectives on Individual Differences ((PIDF))

Abstract

Sometimes everyday involvement with a close partner is relatively easy. When partners’ goals are compatible and their circumstances of interdependence are congenial, couples can readily achieve desirable outcomes such as intimacy, companionship, and security. The true test of a relationship arises when existing circumstances are not so congenial—when partners confront problematic constraints or dilemmas centering on differing activity preferences, hostile patterns of interaction, extrarelationship temptation, or incompatible life goals. In such situations, the immediate interests of one or both individuals may well be incompatible with the interests of the partner or relationship. Behavior in such uncongenial situations is revealing of individuals’ dispositions, values, and goals.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA

    Caryl E. Rusbult, Jennifer Wieselquist, Craig A. Foster & Betty S. Witcher

Authors
  1. Caryl E. Rusbult
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  2. Jennifer Wieselquist
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  3. Craig A. Foster
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  4. Betty S. Witcher
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. High Point University, High Point, North Carolina, USA

    Jeffrey M. Adams

  2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

    Warren H. Jones

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© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Rusbult, C.E., Wieselquist, J., Foster, C.A., Witcher, B.S. (1999). Commitment and Trust in Close Relationships. In: Adams, J.M., Jones, W.H. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability. Perspectives on Individual Differences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4773-0_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4773-0_25

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7161-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4773-0

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