How White Lies Can Be Good For Your Marriage Research Paper

How White Lies Can Be Good For Your Marriage - Research Paper Example In translating this idea into a more academic realm, this literature review is going to analyze research on the importance of trust and communication in an interpersonal relationship. What happens when white lies are told? Is it better to always tell the truth or to safeguard the feelings of your significant other by telling them a simple, unassuming lie? The aim of this literature analysis is to determine if the practice of telling white lies can lead to more serious transgressions of trust within a relationship. The following ten journal articles will divulge this argument of white lies in a relationship to determine whether or not they help or harm a relationship. In order to discuss the literature surrounding this argument, this analysis will review articles about trust and deception within relationships. Analyzing the positive and negative components of white lies against these relationship ideas will help to determine the effect that minor lies can have a romantic connection. B eginning with trust in relationships, Fletcher and Simpson’s 2000 journal article on the Ideal Standards Model discusses what components are necessary for the makings of a good relationship. In placing the ideas of truth and honesty into the loyalty category, it is evident that truth plays a vital role in a relationship. While one can argue that people show their devotion and commitment to one another by demonstrating continuous truth and honesty in a relationship, the question also arises of protecting feelings.... The Ideal Standards Model contains three categories of warmth-loyalty, vitality-attractiveness and status-resources. In placing the ideas of truth and honesty into the loyalty category, it is evident that truth plays a vital role in a relationship. While one can argue that people show their devotion and commitment to one another by demonstrating continuous truth and honesty in a relationship, the question also arises of protecting feelings. According to Fletcher and Simpson, showing your partner compassion and being attentive to their needs for respect and intimacy will increase the chances of a successful relationship. As part of this notion, one can argue that in showing respect for your partner you support them in whatever endeavor they are choosing to follow. In the cases of situations where opinions are not vitally important, such as choosing a movie, going to a concert or picking a new color for an upstairs bathroom, if one person in the relationship truly has their heart set o n one idea, is it really worth arguing over? According to Fletcher and Simpson, a couple in a successful relationship will take opportunities such as this to allow their partner to be happy by telling an insignificant white lie by just agreeing with their choice. As Fletcher and Simpson highlight the components of truth in a successful relationship, Charles Smith’s 2007 article concerning deception highlights its role within the context of a partnership. According to Smith, deception is something that can happen on multiple levels within our lives. We can be deceived by how we perceive things are connected or in the ways they may be mysterious. For example, we can deceive