Contractual Arrangements in Interpersonal Relations

This chapter focuses on miscarriages of the contractual function. J. W. Thibaut has reiterated and expanded upon a number of these points in the context of reporting a series of experiments on bargaining and the formation of contractual agreements in mixed-motive economic relationships. The chapter aims to sketch out in broad terms certain processes that appear to be implicated in the acquisition of maladjustment within the family. It examines certain types of persistent covert “arrangements” that characterize many stereotyped, maladaptive interpersonal relationships. In general, then, Thibaut and H. H. Kelley view norms as mechanisms for achieving functional behavioral constraints that would otherwise have to be provided through the informal and persistent use of interpersonal power. General, culture-wide norms arise as economical, ready-made solutions to widespread and recurrent problems of interpersonal articulation. Some implicit interpersonal contracts appear to be based on the “installment” or “lay-away” plan.

Business · Interpersonal communication · Complex Systems and Decision Making · Psychology · Social Psychology