Sender–Recipient Perspectives of Honest but Hurtful Evaluative Messages in Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Five hundred and fifteen participants assessed honest but hurtful (HBH) evaluative messages in their current romantic relationships from either the perspective of senders or recipients. Findings indicated a systematic self-serving bias. Participants were more likely to recall HBH messages in their current romantic relationships in the role of recipient than sender. Recipients, relative to senders, also rated messages as more hurtful, less honest, more intentional, and lower in enhancement motivation. In addition, recipients perceived less positive relational ramifications. Sex of the respondent was found to moderate the perspective-related difference on perceived intentionality of the message.

Keywords:

• Honest But Hurtful Messages
• Romantic Relationships
• Self-Serving Bias
• Sender–Recipient Perspective

Notes

Note. Overall, regardless of perspective, respondents perceived more positive relational ramifications than negative ones (t[1,503] = 11.42, p < .001).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shuangyue Zhang

Shuangyue Zhang (Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 2005) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Sam Houston State University.