Personal Relationship: The Power Of Interpersonal Relationships

Though the majority of intimate relationships entail two individuals committed to one another, one individual tends to embrace a lesser interest in the relationship. This minimized interest could transpire from a vast array of sources, such as lacking intimacy, comparable alternatives, or a lack of emotional connection. According to the text, the “principle of lesser interest holds that in any partnership, the person who has less interest in continuing and maintaining the relationship has more power in that relationship” (Miller, 2012, p. 363). This one-sided power authorizes more of a business relationship, than an intimate relationship. The less committed partner retains the power to dictate the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of their

I faced this theory both through my personal experiences and through my friend and family’s experiences. Personal, I uncover one of the most destructive and tender experiences to subsist as fully devoting yourself to an individual, only to discover that the feelings do not stand mutual, or that they lost feelings. When an individual devotes their absolute self to another individual, they endorse vulnerability – compelling the chance of sanctioning someone to take advantage of them. With recognition of this theory, individuals must take provisions in relationships, as power can stand disparaging. One should love themself before loving another individual, and never sustain unrealistic expectations. We cannot dominate the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of another individual, so we must value and cherish ourselves.

When detecting my past and current relationships, I determined that I experienced power struggles in intimate relationships. Of the six bases of power enumerated in the text, I resisted against coercive and legitimate power. Coercive power, with a punishment resource, reflects the indication of doing something to an individual that they do not desire, or removing something that they do desire. This coercive power suggests inflicting punishments, or

Referent power, with a respect resource, elucidates when our partners “adore us and wish to do what we want because they feel connected to us” (Miller, 2012, p. 366). Of the six bases of power, referent power emerges as the most genuine and concerned with intimate relationships. The power does not desire control or authority, but rather emerges from care. While this power can promote complications, if our partner loses their personal wishes and values, it endorses an amorous relationship. Whereas referent power illuminates a respectful and loving power, reward power depends on rewards partners can present to one another that they desire, or take away an undesirable punishment. While this power does not condemn undesirable traits, it rewards the behaviors and thoughts that sanction contentment and gratification. By rewarding a partner when they behave ideally, it stimulates that action’s continuation. We seek rewards, while avoiding punishments. I desire reward power because it affords a manner of exhibiting appreciation and gratification for a partner. Rather than concentrating on negativity, this power relies on the positive outcomes in relationships. Of the six power bases inflicted on intimate relationships, I desire referent and reward power. In my intimate relationships I crave equality, gratification, and respect. Through individualized power in