SES and Cognitive Interdependence in Romantic Relationships

Location

Bent Corridor, Science Center

Document Type

Poster - Open Access

Start Date

5-1-2026 12:00 PM

End Date

5-1-2026 2:00 PM

Abstract

Lower socioeconomic status (SES) couples face many relationship challenges, from conflict to high rates of divorce. Recent work shows that, in response to these challenges, lower-SES people engage in self-protection, which may lower relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that SES may influence the extent to which couple members perceive each other as one unit, which may contribute to important relationship outcomes. Here we test this idea by exploring if SES predicts people’s cognitive representations of their partner. Two studies (total N = 468) tested if: 1) SES was associated with cognitive interdependence (CI), as seen in spontaneous plural pronoun use when writing about relationship goals and if 2) CI mediated the association between SES and positive relationship outcomes, such as commitment and forgiveness. Study 1 partially supported our first hypothesis, as education (but not income) was positively associated with CI, but this finding was not replicated in Study 2. This work is among the first to test these ideas and it raises important questions about the psychological factors that promote strong relationships in lower SES contexts.

Keywords:

Romantic relationships, SES, Social psychology

Notes

Presenter: Emily Young

Major

Psychology; Politics

Project Mentor(s)

Ledina Imami, Psychology

2026

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May 1st, 12:00 PM May 1st, 2:00 PM

SES and Cognitive Interdependence in Romantic Relationships

Bent Corridor, Science Center

Lower socioeconomic status (SES) couples face many relationship challenges, from conflict to high rates of divorce. Recent work shows that, in response to these challenges, lower-SES people engage in self-protection, which may lower relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that SES may influence the extent to which couple members perceive each other as one unit, which may contribute to important relationship outcomes. Here we test this idea by exploring if SES predicts people’s cognitive representations of their partner. Two studies (total N = 468) tested if: 1) SES was associated with cognitive interdependence (CI), as seen in spontaneous plural pronoun use when writing about relationship goals and if 2) CI mediated the association between SES and positive relationship outcomes, such as commitment and forgiveness. Study 1 partially supported our first hypothesis, as education (but not income) was positively associated with CI, but this finding was not replicated in Study 2. This work is among the first to test these ideas and it raises important questions about the psychological factors that promote strong relationships in lower SES contexts.