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Romantic ideals, romantic obtainment, and relationship experiences

The complementarity of interpersonal traits among romantic partners

Villanova University, patrick.markey{at}villanova.edu

Charlotte N. Markey

Rutgers University

This research applied three different models of complementarity to romantic ideals, romantic obtainment, and the quality of romantic relationships: (i) Carson's (1969) model of interpersonal complementarity (i.e., individuals similar to each other on warmth, but opposite on dominance, are most compatible); (ii) Wiggins's (1979) model of complementarity (i.e., individuals whose personalities occur in a manner predicted by social exchange theory are most compatible); and (iii) the model of similarity (i.e., individuals with similar personalities are most compatible). Study 1 examined the personality traits of 169 single male and female participants and the personality traits they found most desirable in romantic partners. Using randomization tests of hypothesized order relations and Pearson correlations, results suggested that only the model of similarity accurately described the personalities participants tended to find romantically desirable. Study 2 examined the personality traits of 212 participants (106 couples) who had been romantically involved for at least 1 year. Results suggested that the model of similarity somewhat described the personalities participants tended to actually obtain as romantic partners, but neither Carson's nor Wiggins's models reached significance. However, further analyses found that only Carson's model of complementarity predicted relationship quality; romantic couples who reported the highest levels of relationship quality were more similar in terms of warmth but were more dissimilar in terms of dominance than romantic couples who reported the lowest levels of relationship quality.

Key Words: circumplex • complementarity • interpersonal • relationship • romantic

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 24, No. 4, 517-533 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407507079241


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