Respect in close relationships: Prototype definition, self‐report assessment, and initial correlates

TLDR

Researchers have noted that respect contributes to relationship success, yet it has not been clearly defined, measured, or linked to other relationship constructs. The authors propose directions for future research on respect. They employed a prototype methodology to identify respect features, then had participants rate their centrality and complete a new prototype‑based respect‑for‑partner scale that proved highly reliable and correlated with avoidant attachment and partner evaluation. The new respect scale predicted relationship satisfaction more strongly than scales of liking, loving, attachment‑related anxiety and avoidance, and positive and negative partner qualities.

Abstract

Researchers who study romantic relationships have mentioned respect as a factor contributing to relationship success, but little effort has been made to define respect, measure it, or discover how it relates to other relationship constructs. In Study 1 a prototype methodology was used to identify consensual features of respect. Participants in Study 2 rated the centrality of the features of respect and completed a new prototype‐based respect‐for‐partner scale that was highly reliable and correlated in predictable ways with avoidant attachment and evaluative aspects of partner descriptions. In Study 3, the new respect scale predicted relationship satisfaction better than scales measuring liking, loving, attachment‐related anxiety and avoidance, and positive and negative partner qualities. Suggestions are offered for future research on respect.