Motivated cognition in relationships

• The authors present a model of motivated perceptions of partner responsiveness.
• Motivated perceivers have biased perceptions of partner responsiveness.
• They also have biased memories and interpretations of situations.
• Biased perceptions appear to promote personal and relationship well-being.

Perceived partner responsiveness refers to the belief that partners care for one's needs and have positive regard for the self. The authors present a model of motivated distortion of partner responsiveness and review research relevant to this model. The model proposes that perceivers who are strongly motivated to bond with particular partners tend to see those partners as responsive, and this occurs independently of partners’ actual responsiveness. Specific cognitive processes, such as biased interpretation and memory, assist motivated perceivers in reaching the desired conclusion that partners are responsive. In turn, biased perceptions of responsiveness may bolster individual and relationship well-being. Several studies support this model.