Social support processes in couples - Psychological and physiological underpinnings of effective and ineffective support: Using attachment theory as a framework, this program of research examines individual differences in the capacity to seek care from others when needed, and to respond compassionately to the needs of others. In one set of studies, we focus on individual differences in adult attachment style, investigating how secure and insecure adults differ in their support-seeking and support-provision behavior during stressful situations. In other studies, we are focused on relationship characteristics (e.g., communal strength, compassionate love, inclusion of other in the self) and dyadic process (e.g., empathic accuracy, empathic concern) that shape interpersonal responsiveness in dyadic interaction. Most of this research (with Maire Ford & Annie Guichard) involves laboratory (experimental, observational) and daily diary methods. Our newest set of studies was funded by a grant from the Fetzer Institute. These studies (with Cynthia Khan, Molly Metz, Lauren Winczewski, & Jeff Bowen), examine both psychological and physiological (neuroendocrine, cardiovascular) correlates of giving and receiving compassionate support in couples.
How do caring close relationships help people thrive? The effects of social support (in good times and bad times) on health, emotional well-being, and relationship functioning: Supportive close relationships can buffer people from the negative effects of stress, and facilitate personal growth, exploration, and goal strivings. However, we know relatively little about the specific processes through which this occurs, or about the biological mechanisms through which relational support fosters human resilience and thriving. This line of research examines the importance of responsive support for health and well-being, and for the development and maintenance of secure and well-functioning relationships. To explore these issues, we use experimental, observational, daily diary, and virtual reality methodologies to examine the impact of responsive (and unresponsive) support on stress appraisals, stress hormones (cortisol), goal strivings, and relationship outcomes (closeness, intimacy, and trust) in couples (with Heidi Kane & Lisa Jaremka) and friendships (with Molly Metz). In addition, with Brooke Feeney, we have developed a theoretical model of "thriving through relationships," which provides a new look at social support and offers a framework for understanding how close relationships enable people to thrive by coping with adversity and participating in life opportunities for growth and development in the absence of adversity (see Feeney & Collins, PSPR, 2014). This model is the basis for new research and funding proposals currently underway.
Empathic Accuracy and Language Style Matching in Support and Conflict Interactions: Interpersonal interaction is at the core of many relationship processes. This project was designed to examine how communication phenomena occurring in real time influence conflict negotiation and social support outcomes for romantic couples. We explored the roles of empathic accuracy and Language Style Matching (LSM) in adversarial (conflict) and cooperative (support) communication settings. Empathic accuracy refers to the ability to accurately infer the content of another person's thoughts and feelings, examined through a recall procedure in which partners view a video recorded conversation in which they previously took part. Empathic accuracy has been shown to facilitate support provision during distress, and we hope to uncover its role in conflict negotiation and the individual differences that promote this accuracy in romantic relationships. LSM is a specialized form of nonconscious verbal mimicry in which communicators align in their use words that are integral to sentence structure and grammar (function words). We are exploring whether LSM is similar to nonverbal mimicry in uniformly promoting rapport and cooperation between communicators, or whether it is more sensitive to the context of an interaction. We are further interested if there are ties between empathic accuracy and LSM, and if they may jointly contribute to conflict and social support outcomes for romantic partners.
Adaptive and maladaptive responses to interpersonal rejection: Almost everyone has experienced interpersonal rejection and people frequently respond with hurt feelings, lower self-esteem, and even hostility and aggression. Rejection can also impair cognitive functioning and self-regulatory abilities, leading people to engage in risky health behaviors such as drinking alcohol or over-eating. However, some people are more vulnerable than others to the negative consequences of rejection. In this line of research (with Maire Ford & Lisa Jaremka) we are exploring individual differences in how people respond to rejection, focusing primarily on self-esteem and attachment style. This work examines psychological, behavioral, and biological (hormonal) responses to rejection. The primary goal of this research is to identify adaptive and maladaptive responses to rejection and to understand the links between psychological, biological, and behavioral processes. We are also investigating methods (such as self-affirmation and attentional training) that might buffer people from negative responses to interpersonal rejection and other social threats.
The neuroscience of love, compassion, and social bonding: Headed by former postdoctoral scholar, Bianca Acevedo, this line of research examines the neural correlates of love, compassion, and social bonding in newlyweds. The work seeks to answer such questions as: What are the neural correlates of romantic love and pair-bonding in humans? How do these systems change as bonds develop? How are these systems like/unlike those related to other types of social bonds? Can neuroscience help us understand, and predict, healthy and unhealthy marital trajectories? Can neuroscience help explain the mechanisms by which attachment bonds promote well-being? This research combines brain imaging (fMRI) with structured laboratory interactions and longitudinal assessments in a sample of newlywed couples.
How do caring close relationships help people thrive? The effects of social support (in good times and bad times) on health, emotional well-being, and relationship functioning: Supportive close relationships can buffer people from the negative effects of stress, and facilitate personal growth, exploration, and goal strivings. However, we know relatively little about the specific processes through which this occurs, or about the biological mechanisms through which relational support fosters human resilience and thriving. This line of research examines the importance of responsive support for health and well-being, and for the development and maintenance of secure and well-functioning relationships. To explore these issues, we use experimental, observational, daily diary, and virtual reality methodologies to examine the impact of responsive (and unresponsive) support on stress appraisals, stress hormones (cortisol), goal strivings, and relationship outcomes (closeness, intimacy, and trust) in couples (with Heidi Kane & Lisa Jaremka) and friendships (with Molly Metz). In addition, with Brooke Feeney, we have developed a theoretical model of "thriving through relationships," which provides a new look at social support and offers a framework for understanding how close relationships enable people to thrive by coping with adversity and participating in life opportunities for growth and development in the absence of adversity (see Feeney & Collins, PSPR, 2014). This model is the basis for new research and funding proposals currently underway.
Empathic Accuracy and Language Style Matching in Support and Conflict Interactions: Interpersonal interaction is at the core of many relationship processes. This project was designed to examine how communication phenomena occurring in real time influence conflict negotiation and social support outcomes for romantic couples. We explored the roles of empathic accuracy and Language Style Matching (LSM) in adversarial (conflict) and cooperative (support) communication settings. Empathic accuracy refers to the ability to accurately infer the content of another person's thoughts and feelings, examined through a recall procedure in which partners view a video recorded conversation in which they previously took part. Empathic accuracy has been shown to facilitate support provision during distress, and we hope to uncover its role in conflict negotiation and the individual differences that promote this accuracy in romantic relationships. LSM is a specialized form of nonconscious verbal mimicry in which communicators align in their use words that are integral to sentence structure and grammar (function words). We are exploring whether LSM is similar to nonverbal mimicry in uniformly promoting rapport and cooperation between communicators, or whether it is more sensitive to the context of an interaction. We are further interested if there are ties between empathic accuracy and LSM, and if they may jointly contribute to conflict and social support outcomes for romantic partners.
Adaptive and maladaptive responses to interpersonal rejection: Almost everyone has experienced interpersonal rejection and people frequently respond with hurt feelings, lower self-esteem, and even hostility and aggression. Rejection can also impair cognitive functioning and self-regulatory abilities, leading people to engage in risky health behaviors such as drinking alcohol or over-eating. However, some people are more vulnerable than others to the negative consequences of rejection. In this line of research (with Maire Ford & Lisa Jaremka) we are exploring individual differences in how people respond to rejection, focusing primarily on self-esteem and attachment style. This work examines psychological, behavioral, and biological (hormonal) responses to rejection. The primary goal of this research is to identify adaptive and maladaptive responses to rejection and to understand the links between psychological, biological, and behavioral processes. We are also investigating methods (such as self-affirmation and attentional training) that might buffer people from negative responses to interpersonal rejection and other social threats.
The neuroscience of love, compassion, and social bonding: Headed by former postdoctoral scholar, Bianca Acevedo, this line of research examines the neural correlates of love, compassion, and social bonding in newlyweds. The work seeks to answer such questions as: What are the neural correlates of romantic love and pair-bonding in humans? How do these systems change as bonds develop? How are these systems like/unlike those related to other types of social bonds? Can neuroscience help us understand, and predict, healthy and unhealthy marital trajectories? Can neuroscience help explain the mechanisms by which attachment bonds promote well-being? This research combines brain imaging (fMRI) with structured laboratory interactions and longitudinal assessments in a sample of newlywed couples.