Accuracy and bias in perceptions of conflict style among same-sex and heterosexual couples

Robert E. Wickham; Charlotte L. Beard; Ellen D.B. Riggle; Esther D. Rothblum; Sharon S. Rostosky; Kimberly F. Balsam

doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2016.10.004

Accuracy and bias in perceptions of conflict style among same-sex and heterosexual couples

Robert E. Wickham, Charlotte L. Beard, Ellen D.B. Riggle, Esther D. Rothblum, Sharon S. Rostosky, Kimberly F. Balsam

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intimates form stable impressions of their romantic partner's conflict style, which may influence interactions during conflicts and shape expectancies regarding future disagreements. Despite a large body of work comparing relationship outcomes among heterosexual and same-sex couples, research has yet to examine how the validity of these perceptions vary as a function of gender and sexual orientation. The present study examines perceptual accuracy and bias in perceptions of conflict style among same-sex female (N_dyads = 215), same-sex male (N_dyads = 113), and heterosexual (N_dyads = 93) couples. Although members of same-sex and heterosexual couples exhibited some similarity in accuracy and bias in perceptions, a number of compelling differences suggest that the gender and the sexual orientation of a couple shape perceptions of partner conflict style.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	109-119
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Research in Personality
Volume	65
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2016.10.004
State	Published - Dec 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Author Note: Funding for this research was provided by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development R01HD069370 (Kimberly Balsam, PI), as well as a grant from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (State of California) 24RT-0027 (Ricardo Munoz, PI; Robert Wickham, Co-I).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Keywords

Accuracy
Assumed similarity
Conflict resolution
Interpersonal perception
Projection
Same-sex couples
Same-sex relationships
Truth and bias

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Psychology (all)

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10.1016/j.jrp.2016.10.004

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abstract = "Intimates form stable impressions of their romantic partner's conflict style, which may influence interactions during conflicts and shape expectancies regarding future disagreements. Despite a large body of work comparing relationship outcomes among heterosexual and same-sex couples, research has yet to examine how the validity of these perceptions vary as a function of gender and sexual orientation. The present study examines perceptual accuracy and bias in perceptions of conflict style among same-sex female (Ndyads = 215), same-sex male (Ndyads = 113), and heterosexual (Ndyads = 93) couples. Although members of same-sex and heterosexual couples exhibited some similarity in accuracy and bias in perceptions, a number of compelling differences suggest that the gender and the sexual orientation of a couple shape perceptions of partner conflict style.",

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AU - Riggle, Ellen D.B.

AU - Rothblum, Esther D.

AU - Rostosky, Sharon S.

AU - Balsam, Kimberly F.

N1 - Funding Information: Author Note: Funding for this research was provided by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development R01HD069370 (Kimberly Balsam, PI), as well as a grant from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (State of California) 24RT-0027 (Ricardo Munoz, PI; Robert Wickham, Co-I). Publisher Copyright: © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

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N2 - Intimates form stable impressions of their romantic partner's conflict style, which may influence interactions during conflicts and shape expectancies regarding future disagreements. Despite a large body of work comparing relationship outcomes among heterosexual and same-sex couples, research has yet to examine how the validity of these perceptions vary as a function of gender and sexual orientation. The present study examines perceptual accuracy and bias in perceptions of conflict style among same-sex female (Ndyads = 215), same-sex male (Ndyads = 113), and heterosexual (Ndyads = 93) couples. Although members of same-sex and heterosexual couples exhibited some similarity in accuracy and bias in perceptions, a number of compelling differences suggest that the gender and the sexual orientation of a couple shape perceptions of partner conflict style.

AB - Intimates form stable impressions of their romantic partner's conflict style, which may influence interactions during conflicts and shape expectancies regarding future disagreements. Despite a large body of work comparing relationship outcomes among heterosexual and same-sex couples, research has yet to examine how the validity of these perceptions vary as a function of gender and sexual orientation. The present study examines perceptual accuracy and bias in perceptions of conflict style among same-sex female (Ndyads = 215), same-sex male (Ndyads = 113), and heterosexual (Ndyads = 93) couples. Although members of same-sex and heterosexual couples exhibited some similarity in accuracy and bias in perceptions, a number of compelling differences suggest that the gender and the sexual orientation of a couple shape perceptions of partner conflict style.

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KW - Assumed similarity

KW - Conflict resolution

KW - Interpersonal perception

KW - Projection

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KW - Same-sex relationships

KW - Truth and bias

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Accuracy and bias in perceptions of conflict style among same-sex and heterosexual couples

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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