Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Entitlement in Romantic Relationships in the United States

A Social-Exchange Perspective

  • Chapter
Entitlement and the Affectional Bond

Part of the book series: Critical Issues in Social Justice ((CISJ))

Abstract

“Entitlement,” according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is the “right to do or have something.” In a close relationship (CR), entitlement may be viewed as the kind of and quality of outcomes an individual believes he or she deserves to receive as a result of maintaining the relationship. Entitlement must be distinguished from the level of outcomes one expects to receive from the relationship, although in practice the two may be highly correlated, with most people no doubt expecting to receive what they deserve, given the widespread belief in a “just world” (Lerner & Lerner, 1981). The concept of entitlement directly engages social-exchange theory. For example, social-exchange theorists believe that knowledge of an individual’s comparison level is vital to understanding social relationships, including romantic relationships. An individual’s comparison level is the goodness-of-outcome level an individual believes he or she deserves in a specific relationship.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Albrecht, S. L., Bahr, H. M. & Goodman, K. L. (1983). Divorce and remarriage: Problems, adaptations, and adjustments. Westport, CT: Greenwood.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amato, P. R., & Keith, B. (1991). Parental divorce and adult well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53, 43–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Attridge, M., Berscheid, E., Simpson, J. A., & Creed, M. (1992). Predicting the stability of romantic relationships from individual versus couple data. Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagarozzi, D. A., & Atilano, R. B. (1982). SIDCARB: A clinical tool for rapid assessment of social exchange inequities and relationship barriers. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 8, 325–334.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bagarozzi, D. A., & Pollane, L. (1983). A replication and validation of the spousal inventory of desired changes and relationship barriers (SIDCARB): Elaboration and diagnostic and clinical utilization. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 9, 303–315.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernard, J. (1981). the good-provider role: Its rise and fall. American Psychologist, 36, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berscheid, E. (1983). Emotion. In H. H. Kelley, E. Berscheid, A. Christensen, J. H. Harvey, T. L. Huston, G. Levinger, E. McClintock, L. A. Peplau, & D. R. Peterson (Eds.), Close relationships. New York: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berscheid, E. (1985). Interpersonal attraction. In G. Lindzey & E. Aronson (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (3rd ed.). New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berscheid, E., & Campbell, B. (1981). The changing longevity of heterosexual close relationships: A commentary and forecast. In M. J. Lerner & S. C. Lerner (Eds.), The justice motive in social behavior. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berscheid, E., Gangestad, S. W., & Kulakowski, D. (1984). Emotion in close relationships: Implications for relationship counseling. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi, S. M., & Spain, D. (1986). American women in transition. New York: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booth, A., Johnson, D., & Edwards, J. (1983). Measuring marital instability, Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45, 387–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, B. L., & Hodges, W. F. (1981). The predicament of the newly separated. Community Mental Health Journal, 17, 277–293.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, B. L., Niles, R. L., & Thatcher, A. M. (1985). Sources of marital dissatisfaction among newly separated persons. Journal of Family Issues, 6, 359–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brehm, S. S. (1985). Intimate relationships. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, H. A. (1929). Psychology, a study of mental activity. New York: Longmans, Green.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Emilio, J., & Freedman, E. B. (1988). Intimate matters: A history of sexuality in America. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demo, D. H., & Acock, A. C. (1988). The impact of divorce on children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 619–648.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, J. N. (1991). New conceptions: Biosocial innovations and the family. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53, 340–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emery, R. E. (1988). Marriage, divorce, and children’s adjustment. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faludi, S. (1991). Backlash: The undeclared war against American women. New York: Crown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, K. M., Janoff-Bulman, R., & Roberts, J. E. (1990). Long-term impact of parental divorce on optimism and trust: Changes in general assumptions or narrow beliefs? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 743–755.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freed, D. J., & Walker, J. B. (1986). Family law in fifty states: An overview. Family Law Quarterly, 19, 331–411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadlin, H. (1977). Private lives and public order: A critical view of the history of intimate relations in the United States. In G. Levinger & H. L. Raush (Eds.), Close relationships: Perspectives on the meaning of intimacy. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallup, G. H., Jr. (1990). Religion in America 1990. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Religion Research Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glazer-Malbin, N. (1978). Interpersonal relationships and changing perspectives on the family. In H. Lopata (Ed.), Family factbook. Chicago: Marquis Academic Media.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glenn, N. D. (1988). Continuity versus change, sanguiness versus concern: Views of the American family in the late 1980s. Journal of Family Issues, 8, 348–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glenn, N. D., & Weaver, C. N. (1988). The changing relationship of marital status to reported happiness. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 317–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldscheider, F. K., & Waite, L. J. (1986). Sex differences in the entry into marriage. American Journal of Sociology, 92, 91–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henson, M. F., & Cleveland, R. W. (1986). Earnings in 1983 of married-couple families, by characteristics of husbands and wives. Current Population Reports, Series P-60, No. 153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hetherington, E. M., & Arasteh, J. D. (Eds.) (1988). Impact of divorce, single parenting, and stepparenting on children. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, J. G. (1981). The exchange process in close relationships: Microbehavior and macromotives. In M. J. Lerner & S. C. Lerner (Eds.), The justice motive in social behavior. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homans, G. C. (1961). Social behavior: Its elementary forms. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, H. H., & Thibaut, J. W. (1978). Interpersonal relations: A theory of interdependence. New York: Wiley-Interscience.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J. B. (1982). Divorce: The adult perspective. In B. B. Wolman et al. (Eds.), Handbook of developmental psychology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenrick, D. T., & Gutierres, S. E. (1980). Contrast effects and judgments of physical attractiveness: When beauty becomes a social problem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38, 131–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitson, G. C., Babri, K. B., & Roach, M. J. (1985). Who divorces and why: A review. Journal of Family Issues, 6, 255–293.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, M. J., & Lerner, S. C. (Eds.) (1981). The justice motive in social behavior: Adapting to times of scarcity and change. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinger, G. (1976). A social psychological perspective on marital dissolution. Journal of Social Issues, 32, 21–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levinger, G. A. (1990). Figure versus ground: Micro and macro perspectives on personal relationships. Invited address to the Fifth International Conference on Personal Relationships, Oxford University, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, G. H. (1983). Evaluations and intentions concerning marriage among unmarried female undergraduates. Journal of Social Psychology, 119, 235–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, T. C., & Bumpass, L. L. (1989). Recent trends in marital disruption. Demography, 26, 37–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Masters, W. H., & Johnson, V. E. (1966). Human sexual response. Boston: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masters, W. H., Johnson, V. E., & Kolodny, R. C. (1986). Masters and Johnson on sex and human loving. Boston: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Center for Health Statistics. (1990). Vital statistics for the U.S. 1986: Vol. III. Marriage and divorce. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, I., Ziss, K., Ganza, B., Katz, S., & Robinson, E. (1991). Twenty years of the sexual revolution, 1965-1985: An update. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53, 216–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabatelli, R. M. (1984). The marital comparison level index: A measure for assessing the outcomes relative to expectations. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 46, 651–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabatelli, R. M., & Pearce, J. (1985). Exploring marital expectations. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 3, 307–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabatelli, R. M., & Cecil-Pigo, E. F. (1986). Relational interdependence and commitment to marriage. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 47, 931–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schor, J. (1991). The overworked American: The unexpected decline of leisure. New York: Basic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, J. A., Campbell, B., & Berscheid, E. (1986). The association between romantic love and marriage: Kephart (1967) twice revisited. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 12, 363–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skolnick, A. (1978). The intimate environment: Exploring marriage and the family (2nd ed.). Boston: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spitze, G. (1988). Women’s employment and family relations: A review. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 585–618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Surra, C. A. (1990). Research and theory on mate selection and premarital relationships in the 1980s. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 52, 844–865.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thibaut, J. W., & Kelley, H. H. (1959). The social psychology of groups. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, A. (1985). Changing attitudes toward separation and divorce: Causes and consequences. American Journal of Sociology, 90, 856–872.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, A. (1988). Cohabitation and marriage in the 1980s. Demography, 25, 497–505.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Bureau of the Census. (1990). Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1990. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Buren, A. (1991). Breaking up bad marriage is right thing to do. Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 18, p. 2E.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallerstein, J. S., & Blakeslee, S. (1989). Second chances: Men, women, and children a decade after divorce. New York: Ticknor & Fields.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, C. E., & Price-Bonham, S. (1983). A decade of no-fault divorce revisited: California, Georgia, and Washington. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45, 411–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, L. K. (1990). Determinants of divorce: A review of research in the eighties. Journal of marriage and the family, 52, 904–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, D. (1988). Revitalizing exchange models of divorce. Journal of Divorce, 12, 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolchik, S. A., & Karoly, P. (Eds.) (1988). Children of divorce: Empirical perspectives on adjustment. New York: Gardner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer, T. A. (1986). Premarital anxieties. Journal of Social Personal Relationships, 3, 149–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, USA

    Mark Attridge & Ellen Berscheid

Authors
  1. Mark Attridge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ellen Berscheid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130-4899, USA

    Melvin J. Lerner

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Graz, A-8010, Graz, Austria

    Gerold Mikula

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Attridge, M., Berscheid, E. (1994). Entitlement in Romantic Relationships in the United States. In: Lerner, M.J., Mikula, G. (eds) Entitlement and the Affectional Bond. Critical Issues in Social Justice. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0984-8_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0984-8_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0986-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0984-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation