Tina and Jill Have Been Married for 4 Years

question 9

Essay

Tina and Jill have been married for 4 years.When experiencing conflict,they tend to respond to each other's negative effects and behaviors with further negativity.Although they feel somewhat less satisfied with each other and with the relationship after an argument,they generally maintain a high level of satisfaction.In the first few years of their marriage,they rarely argued;however,Jill's mother was recently diagnosed with cancer,and Jill has been spending more time with her mother and less time with Tina than Tina would like.This has created tension and has led to increased conflict between Tina and Jill.As a result,Tina and Jill find that their satisfaction with the relationship has been steadily decreasing.Your textbook describes five theoretical approaches to intimate relationships.Which of these approaches provide(s)the best explanation for Tina and Jill's declining relationship satisfaction? Why?

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Definitions:

Genetic Variation

The diversity in gene frequencies within a population, which contributes to the population's ability to adapt to varying environments.

Observer

A person who watches or notices something without directly participating.

Different Speeds

Refers to varying rates of movement or progress.

Opponent-process Theory

A psychological and neurological model that accounts for a wide range of behaviors, including color vision and emotions, by assuming that stimuli trigger opposing processes in the brain.