The Impact of extrinsic goals on romantic relationships : a theoretical approach

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rochester. Dept. of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, 2013.The pursuits of money, fame and image, classified as extrinsic goals, have become prominent in our present-day world. While research shows that extrinsic goal pursuits can negatively affect people's individual well-being, there is a lack of understanding about how such pursuits can impact interpersonal relationships. This dissertation is aimed at addressing the need for research on and coverage of this subject in the literature by focusing on romantic relationships and applying the concept of basic need satisfaction in relationships as an organizing framework. In three studies, the connections among extrinsic goals, basic need satisfaction in a relationship, and relationship well-being are examined using self-reports, dyadic reports, and experiments. Specifically, the studies showed (a) an individual's basic psychological need satisfaction mediated the association between his or her partner's extrinsic goals (vs. intrinsic goals) and the individual's experience of relationship well-being with his or her romantic partner, (b) that extrinsic goals (vs. intrinsic goals) have a detrimental impact on relationship outcomes between an individual and his or her partner (Study 2), and (c) the possible moderating effects of personal goals on the impact of partner's intrinsic or extrinsic goals on basic need satisfaction in a relationship, vitality with partner and emotional reliance (Primary Study)