Some Aspects of a Theory of Interpersonal Contracts

Bibliographic Data

ID13664438
AuthorsStewart Shapiro (0000-0002-4895-0772, University of California, Santa Barbara, corresponding author), Stewart B Shapiro (University of California, Santa Barbara)
Year1968
Volume22
Issue1
Pages171-183
Publication date1968-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2466/pr0.1968.22.1.171
PMID5641206
OpenAlexW2085381226
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited8

In this introductory paper are examined some of the aspects or parameters of interpersonal contract formation. The Interpersonal Contract Exercise, a technique for making contracts explicit in a group setting, is introduced. Underlying the discussion of the various aspects of interpersonal contracts is the theme of the desirability of open communication of these contracts—both in their interpersonal and intrapersonal aspects. Another principle contains the idea of an implicit hierarchy of contracts in which the most powerful contract may be the least conscious or overt, as in real versus presumed contracts, primary versus secondary subself involvements or hidden simultaneous contracts with self. Conditions which favor or inhibit contract formation include mutual trust and identification, degree of social dissonance, third parties, and egalitarian versus authoritarian social systems. The Interpersonal Contract Exercise is outlined and some of its applications mentioned

Cognitive dissonance · Contract management · Economics · Exclusion clause · Frustration of purpose · Hierarchy · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Intrapersonal communication · Management · Political science · Politics · Privity of contract · Psychological contract · Social contract · Law · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology · Social Psychology · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy

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