Ex-appraisal bias: Negative illusions in appraising relationship quality retrospectively | Zendy

Smyth Aidan P. J. | Zendy; Peetz Johanna | Zendy; Capaldi Adrienne A. | Zendy

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Ex-appraisal bias: Negative illusions in appraising relationship quality retrospectively

Author(s) -

Smyth Aidan P. J.,

Peetz Johanna,

Capaldi Adrienne A.

Publication year - 2020

Publication title -

journal of social and personal relationships

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.251

H-Index - 84

eISSN - 1460-3608

pISSN - 0265-4075

DOI - 10.1177/0265407520907150

Subject(s) - psychology , cognitive bias , context (archaeology) , quality (philosophy) , illusion , cognition , social psychology , cognitive appraisal , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , biology , neuroscience

Cognitive biases are prevalent within the context of romantic relationships. The present research investigated biases about relationships after they have ended. In a longitudinal design ( N = 184), individuals reported relationship quality at two time points, as well as rated relationship quality retrospectively. Results supported an ex-appraisal bias: individuals rated their past relationship quality more negatively in retrospect than they had actually reported at the time. This bias was present across participants who stayed together and those who broke up but was three times larger for those whose relationships had ended. This bias may be a motivated cognition that helps individuals let go of their ex-partners after a breakup.

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