Topic > The Role of Mindset in Romantic Relationships

People have different expectations when entering romantic relationships and friendships. The expectations people have depend on their mentality. Some people find it difficult to handle rejection in their life because their mindset is set on revenge. Other people enter into relationships with the intention of giving their all to make the relationships work. Successful relationships are attributed to forgiveness and understanding. However, some people focus on revenge when their friends or lovers have hurt them. Relationships aren't always smooth. Therefore, both parties must have good will and commitment for the relationship to be successful. Partners with a growth mindset can easily manage conflicts within themselves, but those with a fixed mindset find it difficult to manage the cracks in their relationship. In relationships, people can develop a growth mindset by setting realistic expectations, learning to forgive, acting proactively, communicating well, and avoiding blame. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Both partners must work hard for a relationship to be successful. Instead of focusing on one's partner's perpetual compatibility, a person should work hard to ensure the relationship works. In Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck argues that “The growth mindset says that all of these things can be developed. Everyone – you, your partner, and the relationship – is capable of growth and change” (188). A person with a fixed mindset wants an instant, perfect relationship. Therefore, to overcome the fixed mindset in a relationship, one should believe that it is possible to change and grow a relationship. Belief in a relationship's potential for change can motivate a relationship person to focus on nurturing a relationship without giving up. Positive evaluations promote happiness in a relationship. When partners focus on the positive attributes that each of them brings to the relationship, their satisfaction increases. In “How Do I See You Compared to Myself?” Morry, Tara, and Mie explain that “more positive evaluations of partners' behaviors relative to strangers are linked to greater closeness and relationship quality” (371). Positive evaluations promote closeness between partners. In comparison, negative evaluations increase the distance between partners. Partners who evaluate themselves positively are more satisfied than those who evaluate themselves from a negative perspective. As a result, it is possible to maintain a growth mindset in a relationship by focusing on the positive perceptions the other partner has regarding the likelihood of their relationship being successful. Additionally, positive evaluations make relationship partners feel that they are understood. The other partner's negative traits should not be a cause of relationship failure. In particular, a proactive personality can encourage a growth mindset in a relationship. Relationships can be successful when partners learn to resolve their challenges proactively. In “Egocentric Forgiveness and Other-Oriented Forgiveness: Modeling High-Quality Exchange Relationships.” Thompson and Travis explain that “Those with a proactive personality will be intrinsically capable of implementing calculative maneuvers aimed at resetting the relational context following a transgression” (741). This means that a proactive personality involves seeking out opportunities that will change relationships for the better. A proactive personality believes in the potential to change a relationship for the better. Also, oneProactive personality avoids actions that could be harmful to a relationship. Therefore, it is important to minimize negative reactions in relationships by applying proactive techniques. Furthermore, correct communication is crucial to the success of a relationship. Partners in a relationship would make an effort to communicate accurately and effectively with each other. According to Dweck “It takes work to communicate accurately, and it takes work to expose and resolve conflicting hopes and beliefs” (192). A great relationship is not free of conflict. With proper communication, partners in a relationship can resolve their conflicts. Communication is significant for partners in a relationship because it contributes to the functioning of relationships. Additionally, proper communication helps find solutions to problems that parties in a relationship may encounter. Great relationships are born as a result of relentless effort. A growth mindset fosters self-disclosure in a relationship. Partners in relationships can support self-disclosure by sharing information with their partner about the things that hurt them in relationships. In "Self-Disclosure in Romantic Relationships and Friendships among American and Japanese College Students" Kito Mie cites a study conducted by Critelli and Dupre (1978) according to which "64 couples dated and found significant correlations between self-disclosure and love" (128). This study is significant because it shows that self-disclosure increases love in a relationship. Self-disclosure is an element of good communication in a relationship. A person in a relationship should not assume that the other party in the relationship understands what hurts them. Assumptions are harmful to a relationship because they encourage setting unrealistic standards for the other party in a relationship. Self-disclosure minimizes misunderstandings in relationships. Self-disclosure increases a partner's understanding of each other's needs. People should not use self-disclosure as a way to manipulate other parties in relationships. Self-disclosure promotes effective communication in relationships. Furthermore, assigning blame is detrimental to the survival of relationships. People should not assign blame when they encounter difficulties in their relationships. In relationships, fixed mindsets believe that problems are indicators of their partners' flaws. According to Dweck, "When people with a fixed mindset talk about their conflicts, they assign blame. Sometimes they blame themselves, but often they blame their partner" (193). It is critical that people recognize that assigning blame does not help in solving problems; aggravates the problem. Conflicts are the obstacles that should help partners understand each other. Therefore, it is crucial to use conflict modes to improve relationships. Positive emotions contribute to the development of a growth mindset in relationships. Positive emotions bring happiness between partners in relationships. Positive emotions facilitate conflict resolution between partners in a relationship. In “Aristotle, Aquinas, and Seligman on Happiness,” Kaczor Christopher explains that “positive emotions are important for happiness, but a person's happiness increases if he or she not only experiences positive emotions but is also engaged in work and significant results" (196). ). Therefore, instead of assigning blame, partners in a relationship should use positive emotions to deal with their problems. Positive emotions should be based on objective reality. A relationship can thrive as a result of positive emotion. Furthermore, positive emotions motivate both partners to be fully involved in. 2017.