title: The prosocial versus proself power holder: how power influences sacrifice in romantic relationships.
abstract: Romantic partners often have to sacrifice their interests to benefit their partner or to maintain the relationship. In the present work, we investigated whether relative power within the relationship plays an important role in determining the extent to which partners are likely to sacrifice. Drawing from both classic theories and recent research on power, we tested two competing predictions on the relationship between power and sacrifice in romantic relationships. We tested whether (a) power is negatively related to sacrifice and (b) power is positively related to sacrifice. Furthermore, we also explored whether the association between power and sacrifice is moderated by commitment and inclusion of the other in the self. To test our hypotheses, we used different methodologies, including questionnaires, diary studies, and videotaped interactions. Results across the five studies (N = 1,088) consistently supported the hypothesis that power is negatively related to tendencies to sacrifice in close relationships.
authors: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands f.righetti@vu.nl.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Righetti
authors: Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
authors: Laura B
authors: LB
authors: Luchies
authors: Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: van Gils
authors: Villanova University, PA, USA.
authors: Erica B
authors: EB
authors: Slotter
authors: William Peace University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Witcher
authors: Goldsmiths, University of London, UK.
authors: Madoka
authors: M
authors: Kumashiro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003380:Courtship / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: power; prosocial behavior; romantic relationships; sacrifice