Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

2-2016

Abstract

How do perceptions of future romantic plans affect close relationships? In three studies, we examined the effects of ease of retrieval of future plans on romantic relationship commitment. We hypothesized that greater ease of retrieval would be associated with greater relationship commitment among those who were high in need for cognition. Study 1 participants listed either two or 10 future plans and completed a measure assessing need for cognition. Results showed that high need for cognition individuals asked to list two instead of 10 future plans reported greater commitment, but those low in need for cognition showed the opposite pattern. Study 2 replicated this effect while controlling for plan substitutability. Study 3 examined the mediational role of commitment doubt. Those high in need for cognition listing more plans had more doubts and reported lower commitment. These findings suggest that perceptions of future plans can influence relationship commitment under specific conditions.

Keywords

interpersonal processes, relationship commitment, fluency, ease of retrieval

Discipline

Social Psychology | Social Psychology and Interaction

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Volume

42

Issue

2

First Page

161

Last Page

171

ISSN

0146-1672

Identifier

10.1177/0146167215617201

Publisher

SAGE Publications

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