THESIS EXAMINING SOCIAL EXCHANGE MEASURES AS MODERATORS OF POLITENESS TECHNIQUES IN FACE-THREATENING ACTS BETWEEN ROMANTIC PARTNERS Submitted by Ryan J. Allred Department of Communication Studies In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Spring 2016 Master’s Committee: Advisor: John P. Crowley Eric Aoki Rachel Lucas-Thompson Copyright by Ryan J. Allred 2016 All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT EXAMINING SOCIAL EXCHANGE MEASURES AS MODERATORS OF POLITENESS TECHNIQUES IN FACE-THREATENING ACTS BETWEEN ROMANTIC PARTNERS Much has been written concerning face and the process individuals engage in to manage both their own and other’s face in a variety of contexts (Goffman, 1967). Despite ample research on the management of one’s own face (Brown & Levinson, 1987), still little is known concerning the motives behind helping others to create and manage face. This study utilizes measures from Social Exchange Theory (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959) as moderators for face-saving techniques presented in Politeness Theory. Particularly, romantic relationships were examined to determine how relationship satisfaction and stability levels influence decision-making processes when individuals approach their partners with a face-threatening act. Satisfaction was shown to be associated with concern for face whereas stability, commitment, and equity were not. Additionally, satisfaction and stability levels are correlated with the techniques individuals use to reduce uncertainty concerning their partners’ face needs. Future research is suggested to further understand effective techniques to reduce uncertainty surrounding face-threatening acts. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Although education and research are important, the most important aspect of academia in my life is the opportunity it provides to create lasting relationships. I will always be grateful for the many friends that have come as a result of my time at Colorado State University. I have enjoyed wonderful opportunities to grow mentally, socially, and spiritually because of the people I have been privileged to meet. As a spiritually minded individual, many of my major decisions are made based on prayer. This was especially true concerning my decision to attend CSU and I felt strongly that I should attend this program. However, I was unaware of the reason behind my decision other than a strong feeling that it was the choice I needed to make. As my time in the program comes to an end, the true reason for that feeling is clear in mind: I needed the opportunity of learning from Dr. John Crowley. I am forever grateful for the training, encouragement, and guidance John has provided as my advisor. With the perfect mixture of patience, motivation, critique, and positive feedback, he was the only person I would have wanted to work with at this level. Indeed, he has become a friend and a mentor to last a lifetime. Thank you, John! Many others have reached out and blessed my life over the past two years. To each of you, thank you! Specifically, both Dr. Aoki and Dr. Lucas-Thompson spent countless hours with little compensation while helping me with this project. They taught me much of what it means to be a scholar and even more of what it means to be kind. I hope to someday contribute to the world as they do. iii DEDICATION To the countless number of teachers who have sacrificed while creating the foundation upon which this project was possible. Those who have inspired, motivated, critiqued, praised, and supported me in all of my ideas and academic endeavors. And, importantly, to my family. To my parents who always put my needs above their own and to my siblings who always have my back. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1: OVERIEW OF STUDY ...........................................................................................1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Face ......................................................................................................................................2 Politeness Theory .................................................................................................................5 Power, Social Distance, Ranking ...........................................................................12 Social Exchange Theory ....................................................................................................14 Comparison Levels ................................................................................................16 Comparison Levels for Alternatives ......................................................................17 Equity .....................................................................................................................21 Confounding Variables ......................................................................................................24 Conflict Styles ........................................................................................................24 Relationship Stage .................................................................................................25 CHAPTER 2: METHOD ...............................................................................................................26 Sample................................................................................................................................26 Procedure ...........................................................................................................................26 Measures ............................................................................................................................27 Social Exchange .....................................................................................................27 Politeness ...............................................................................................................29 Conflict Style .........................................................................................................30 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS ...............................................................................................................31 Concern for Partners’ Face ................................................................................................31 Individuals’ Desired Face ..................................................................................................35 Reduction Uncertainty Concerning Face Needs ................................................................35 Summary of Significant Findings ......................................................................................36 CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION .........................................................................................................39 Concern for Partners’ Face ................................................................................................39 Significant predictors of concern for face ..............................................................40 Nonsignificant predictors of concern for face .......................................................42 Desired Face Needs............................................................................................................43 Reducing Uncertainty Concerning Face Needs .................................................................44 Limitations and Future Research .......................................................................................47 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................48 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................50 APPENDIX A: SURVEY ..............................................................................................................58 APPENDIX B: COVER LETTER.................................................................................................71 APPENDIX C: SOCIAL MEDIA RECRUITMENT MESSAGE ................................................72 APPENDIX D: CONSENT FORMS .............................................................................................73 v LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1- Primary Variable Correlations .....................................................................................31 TABLE 2- Coefficients for Model Variables, H2 ..........................................................................34 TABLE 3- Coefficients for Model Variables, H5 ..........................................................................34 TABLE 4- Summary of Findings ..................................................................................................38 vi LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1- Brown