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Journalism of Courage
Wondering what prepares us to make a strong commitment and work out differences with an intimate partner? And what happens when one person is more committed than the other?
Six researchers M. Minda Orina of St. Olaf College; W. Andrew Collins,Jeffry A. Simpson,Jessica E. Salvatore,and John S. Kim of the University of Minnesota and Katherine C. Haydon of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign used the rich mine of data in the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation (MLSRA),coupled with a lab procedure,to look for the answers.
Their findings suggested that supportive,involved mothering in toddlerhood and an ability to work through conflict in adolescence are good predictors of becoming the “strong link”the person with the bigger stakein adult relationships. If the opposite happened in earlier life,chances are the person will be the “weak link”the one with one foot out the door.
Equally important,though,is what these predictors don’t account for: It’s good to be prepared for love. But it takes two to tango.
Interestingly,it”s not the partners” individual commitments that make the most difference in the grace and longevity of the dance. It’s how well their levels of commitment match up. Two strong links will be benevolent and tolerant when the going gets rough. Two weak links may be lax about working things out,but their expectations are equally lowso there’s less friction.
But when a weak link and a strong link pair up,the one with less investment has more influenceand stability is the loser.
The study contributes to our understanding of how we learn to love well.
When you’re a baby or a teenager,”you are learning to manage your own needs and those of the people you care about,” said Orina.
“You learn: Can I come forward with a problem? What can I expect of the other person? And how can I do this in a way that everyone wins?” added Orina.
The study is detailed in the June issue of Psychological Science.
