COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY (DISCUSSION POST)
In a relationship, there occur both negative and positive events. Therefore a relationship could be termed as an institution characterized by negativity and positivity, leading to different relative influence. This influence affects the rewards-to-cost ratio. The positive and negative events influence the relationship period and mutual satisfaction which results in high and low reward-to-cost ratio.
The adverse events for a relationship relatively influence the period that the different spouses intend to stay. One of these adverse events is dissatisfaction. If one of the spouses views the relationship as not satisfying, they may decide to quit or give it some time and see whether something new and better may come out of it. When the spouses are in a relationship, they tend to be in a state of interdependence between them, and if one of the parties seem not getting their expectations, they may tend to change into another spouse. In other words, they may shift to another relationship (Miller, 2018, 171). However, the lack of satisfaction is not the only factor that may prompt a change of relationship.
The positive events in a relationship may facilitate a healthy relationship where each of the spouses is satisfied and encouraged to stay. For instance, a couple or spouses in a relationship get satisfied with what their partners offer, there is the tendency of a continued relationship. Arguing from the interdependency perspective, such a relationship may be termed as sustaining (Miller, 2018 173).. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
The relative outcomes of the negative and positive events in a relationship imply the rewards –to-cost ratio. A relationship characterized by adverse events tends to have low rewards vs cost ration as opposed to a relationship with satisfying positive events. For instance, the undesirable experiences in a relationship are viewed as poor rewards which cannot be equated to the spouses’ input, which in this case if the cost (Miller, 2018 172). On the other hand, positive events translate to high reward-to-cost ratio. For instance, a satisfying relationship benefits from the belief that their relationship is set to succeed. In this case, the belief of a lifetime relationship is a good reward borne of the cost of satisfying actions.
Reference
Miller R.S. (2018). Intimate Relationships. 8th edition. McGraw Hill Education.