Psychology Commons^™

Perceiving Behaviors That "Push A Partner's Buttons": Biased And Accurate Trigger Knowledge, Attachment, And Relationship Dynamics, Sarah C. E. Stanton

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Two preregistered studies examined the interplay between directional bias and tracking accuracy in perceptions of relationship triggers, partner-enacted irksome or hurtful behaviors that elicit immediate negative emotions (e.g., clinginess). Study 1 identified 24 relationship triggers that the general public considered to be important for predicting relationship outcomes. Study 2 used recently developed statistical techniques to simultaneously test (a) whether partners were able to track the unique pattern of each other’s triggers and (b) if they overestimated or underestimated the extent to which a given behavior irked one another. Study 2 additionally explored attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance as potential moderating …