One of the greatest insights on lopsided commitment came from sociologist Willard Waller in 1936, when he described the “principle of least interest,” defined in this way:

“That person is able to dictate the conditions of association whose interest in the continuation of the affair is least.’’

Analogously, the person who is most committed has the least power in a relationship.

There is a growing and robust literature on asymmetrical commitment, with studies showing that it is associated not only with poor relationship dynamics but also specific personal characteristics such as attachment difficulties.

Dr. Scott Stanley and Dr. Galena Rhoades have published numerous papers on this topic. In this talk, they will describe what’s up with lopsided love.

Objectives: Participants will:

1. Learn about the nature and consequences of asymmetrically committed romantic relationships regarding relationship quality, relationship stability, and risks for aggression.
2. Be able to explain to emerging and young adults how ambiguity in dating and mating increases risks for asymmetrical commitment, and how to recognize its warning signs.
3. Be able to share with emerging and young adults what steps they can take to clarify intentions of partners (to define the relationship) at critical steps in the process of relationship formation.

Presenters:

• Scott M. Stanley, Ph.D., Research Professor- University of Denver
• Galena K. Rhoades, Ph.D, Research Professor and the Director of the Institute for Relationship Science in the Department of Psychology- University of Denver

Who should attend: Program directors and facilitators for teen pregnancy prevention grants, healthy relationship educators, after-school program managers, Extension specialists and agents, health and Family and Consumer Sciences teachers, college educators, counselors, social workers, community action workers, and anyone working with young people.