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Relational Models Theory

A Contemporary Overview

• Edited by Nick Haslam

• Price: $42.50
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Pages: 392
• Published by: Psychology Press
• Publication Date: 22nd July 2004
• ISBN: 978-0-8058-5356-8

About the Book

Relational models theory, first developed by Alan Page Fiske, an anthropologist, provides a framework for understanding the psychological bases of social behavior that has in recent years attracted the interest of a diverse and growing group of behavioral and social scientists. It proposes that human activities are structured in accordance with four fundamental models--communal sharing, authority ranking, equality matching, and market pricing--different permutations of which guide thought and behavior in every domain of social life in all cultures. Just as children are biologically programmed to learn language, so are they prepared to recognize the models, which enable human beings to plan and generate their own action; to understand, remember, and anticipate that of others; to coordinate collective action and institutions; and to make moral judgments.

This book offers a critical introduction to contemporary relational models theory and illustrates the ways in which it has illuminated a wide range of interpersonal phenomena and stimulated research on individual psychology, collective behavior, and culture. Using methodologies that range from experimental to ethnographic, the authors--leading developmental, social and clinical psychologists, anthropologists, and specialists in organizational behavior and management--discuss the relational foundations of social cognition, the forms of action that create relationships in diverse cultures, perceptions of fairness and justice in families and organizations, emotions and values, moral outrage, interpersonal conflict, and emotional and personality disorders.

Relational Models Theory lays out challenges to all who study interpersonal relationships and social processes in varying contexts, and points directions for future work.

Table of Contents

Contents: Preface. Part I: Fundamentals. A.P. Fiske, Relational Models Theory 2.0. N. Haslam, Research on the Relational Models: An Overview. Part II: Cognition and Culture. A.P. Fiske, Four Modes of Constituting Relationships: Consubstantial Assimilation; Space, Magnitude, Time, and Force; Concrete Procedures; Abstract Symbolism. N. Haslam, A.P. Fiske, Social Expertise: Theory of Mind or Theory of Relationships? Part III: Justice and Fairness. J.J. Goodnow, The Domain of Work in Households: A Relational Models Approach. D.L. Connelley, R. Folger, Hidden Bias: The Impact of Relational Models on Perceptions of Fairness in Human Resource Systems. R. Folger, R. Butz, Relational Models, "Deonance," and Moral Antipathy Toward the Powerfully Unjust. Part IV: Emotions, Values, and Moralities. P.E. Tetlock, A.P. McGraw, O.V. Kristel, Proscribed Forms of Social Cognition: Taboo Trade-Offs, Blocked Exchanges, Forbidden Base Rates, and Heretical Counterfactuals. S. Roccas, C. McCauley, Values and Emotions in the Relational Models. L.D. Houde, D.M. Sherman, T.B. White, B.H. Sheppard, The Four Faces of Trust: An Empirical Study of the Nature of Trust in Relational Forms. Part V: Relational Models in the Clinic. N.B. Allen, P. Gilbert, A. Semadar, Depressed Mood as an Interpersonal Strategy: The Importance of Relational Models. N. Haslam, A Relational Approach to the Personality Disorders.