Pursuing interpersonal value: An interdependence perspective

Abstract

The current research examined the interpersonal implications of pursuing goals to be valued by others as a relationship partner, termed interpersonal value goals. Across 3 experiments, a large cross-sectional study, 2 daily experience studies, and a 1-year longitudinal study with behavioral observation of conflict interactions, the pursuit of interpersonal value was associated with higher quality interactions and relationships, as suggested by multiple outcomes, including responsive and prosocial behavior, adoption of compassionate goals, confidence in being valued, more positive sentiments from interaction and relationship partners, and judgments of relationship quality. Relationship commitment predicted adoption of interpersonal value goals, which partially mediated effects of commitment on these outcomes. Effects of interpersonal value goals on responsive and prosocial behavior were especially strong when participants perceived that prosocial behavior was instrumental to obtaining interpersonal value, and when participants had relationship partners who responded favorably to prosocial behavior. New measures of pursuing interpersonal value appeared valid and reliable. These results contradict prior research on self-image goals, which suggests that trying to be seen by others in desirable ways is interpersonally destructive. The discrepancy appears to be attributable to the inclusion of items assessing perfectionism and dominance tactics in the self-image goals measure. Taken together, these findings suggest that pursuing interpersonal value usually promotes close relationships, but that some means to achieving interpersonal value, such as perfectionism and dominance, may often undermine relationship quality. Implications are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).