Deception In Romantic Relationships

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The use of deception within a romantic relationship occur for a variety of reasons, each resulting in certain costs and effects on the relational outcome. A study conducted by Tim Cole (2001), tested possible explanations underlying the use of deception in romantic relationships (p. 107). The data for Cole’s study was collected as part of a broader research project on communication patterns of deception in romantic relationships. One hundred and twenty-eight heterosexual couples (256 individuals) participated in the study over a 6-week period. The couples were separated from each other and individually completed questionnaires regarding their own communicative behavior and also in reference to their partner’s behaviors (Cole, 2001, p. 115). The study chose to look at the explanations for the use of deception within a romantic relationship, or why people make the …show more content…

The principles of interdependence can mean that retributive action is taken if deception is perceived. Therefore, the perception of a partner’s deception causes the other partner to withdraw an important relational resource (Cole, 2001, p. 109). Support was found that the relational outcome of a perceived partner’s deception results in the decline of commitment to the relationship and satisfaction in the relationship (Cole, 2001, 121). Partners in a romantic relationship expect honesty, and deception has a relational cost. Cole (2001) found that “…the idea that deception is based on principles of reciprocity. The relational outcome of deception due to reciprocity can divide the partners. When confronted with a misleading partner, individuals appear to even the score and establish some distance/autonomy from uncooperative romantic partners” (p.