COGNITIVE INTERDEPENDENCE - COMMITMENT AND THE MENTAL REPRESENTATION OF CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS

On the basis of an interdependence analysis, it is proposed that commi tment to a close relationship is associated with cognitive interdepend ence-a mental state characterized by a pluralistic, collective represe ntation of the self-in-relationship. A cross-sectional survey study an d a 2-wave longitudinal study revealed that strong commitment to a rom antic relationship is associated with greater spontaneous plural prono un usage, greater perceived unity of self and partner, and greater rep orted relationship centrality. Commitment and cognitive interdependenc e operate in a cycle of mutual influence, such that earlier commitment predicts change over time in cognitive interdependence, and earlier c ognitive interdependence predicts change over time in commitment. Link s between commitment and cognitive interdependence were weak or nonsig nificant for relationships among best friends, suggesting that this ph enomenon may be unique to romantic relationships.