Activity 2 Ch7.2

Destiny vs. Growth Beliefs

Activity 2: Destiny and Growth Beliefs Scale

*This section of the open course textbook is designed to support PSYC 3271, and the activity numbering corresponds to Unit 4.

Introduction

The following scale will help you to understand your own perspectives on relationships and conflict. Use this as a learning opportunity. If you change your answers to make them seem more socially appropriate, you may miss the chance to learn something new about yourself and strive for personal growth.

Instructions

Below is a list of statements about relationships.

Respond to each of the following items using the scale provided. Try to be as honest as possible; your answers are for your personal use and reflection, you will not be required to share them.

Please rate yourself on the following items by writing a number for each statement, where you:

1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Disagree; 3 = Neutral; 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree

1. Potential relationship partners are either compatible or they are not.
2. A successful relationship is mostly a matter of finding a compatible partner right from the start.
3. Potential relationship partners are either destined to get along or they are not.
4. Relationships that do not start off well inevitably fail.
5. If a potential relationship is not meant to be, it will become apparent very soon.
6. The success of a potential relationship is destined from the very beginning.
7. To last, a relationship must seem right from the start.
8. A relationship that does not get off to a perfect start will never work.
9. Struggles at the beginning of a relationship are a sure sign that the relationship will fail.
10. Unsuccessful relationships were never meant to be.
11. Early troubles in a relationship signify a poor match between partners.
12. The ideal relationship develops gradually over time.
13. A successful relationship evolves through hard work and resolution of incompatibilities.
14. A successful relationship is mostly a matter of learning to resolve conflicts with a partner.
15. Challenges and obstacles in a relationship can make love even stronger.
16. Problems in a relationship can bring partners closer together.
17. Relationships often fail because people do not try hard enough.
18. With enough effort, almost any relationship can work.
19. It takes a lot of time and effort to cultivate a good relationship.
20. Without conflict from time to time, relationships cannot improve.
21. Arguments often enable a relationship to improve.
22. Successful relationships require regular maintenance.

In the following section, we will be exploring what these scores mean by examining the behaviors and relationship implications associated with each type of beliefs.

Knee, C. R., Patrick, H., & Lonsbary, C. (2003). Implicit Theories of Relationships: Orientations Toward Evaluation and Cultivation. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 7(1), 41–55.