Sex differences in bases of power in dating relationships

The relationships between relative and absolute contributions of resources and perceiving oneself as being powerful in the dating relationship were examined for 50 dating couples. Unlike past research examining resources as bases of power, a wide range of resources was examined—including more traditional “feminine” resources such as affection and companionship. Also unlike past studies, perceived contributions of resources, rather than the control of resources, were examined. How access to alternative relationships relates to power was also examined in this study. Contrary to research examining control of resources, it was found in this study that contributing more to the relationship tended to be negatively correlated with perceiving oneself as having power. Closer analysis revealed that this was particularly true for traditionally feminine resources. It was also found that the more men perceived themselves as having access to alternatives, the more powerful they perceived themselves. For women, on the other hand, an important basis of power appeared to be the control of the reciprocation of love in the relationship.