Experimentelle Prüfung von alltäglichen Motivationsprozessen in Partnerschaften durch Ecological Momentary Interventions

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The goal of this research project is a consistent continuation of the DFG project "Dynamics of implicit motives in intimate couple relationships", which showed the importance of motives for short-term motivation- and regulation processes in couple relationships: Motive dispositions orient, select and energize behavior towards the attainment of specific goals via motivational states. The experienced affect when reaching the desired goal state depends on the currently experienced motivational state (affect amplification by motivation), a process path that might explain the associations between motive dispositions and relationship quality. This functional, dynamic mode of action of motive dispositions, mediated by the current motivation, is the content of the "Dynamics of Motive Satisfaction" (DynaMoS) model, which was correlatively confirmed in the previous project by micro-longitudinal analyses for partner-related communal motives.The research project builds on these findings and addresses the fundamental question of the causality of the process paths of the DynaMoS model by testing the functional mode of action of the postulated mechanisms with the help of smartphone-based experimental microinterventions in the everyday life of couples ("ecological momentary interventions"). It will focus on comprehensively understanding the motivational system within the communal motive domain. In addition to considering the temporal component of the process, the manifestations of relationship-specific behavior and affect will be collected multimodally: Specific self and partner reports in experience sampling will be complemented by unobtrusive mobile sensing and content analysis of text messages. With this project we follow the collective call of a large number of researchers to fulfill the current desiderata of a future-oriented personality research: (a) to investigate the joint interplay of motivational, affective, and cognitive processes, (b) to link the microlevel of dynamic intrapersonal processes with the macrolevel of interindividual differences, and (c) to consider the causality of intrapersonal processes, especially those processes that act as a link between personality traits and social outcomes. Additionally, the causal approach to motivational microdynamics in intimate relationships and the natural assessment in everyday life provides an informed basis for the development of evidence-based interventions in (couple-)therapeutic contexts, suitable for everyday use. In addition to a better understanding of motivational processes in intimate relationships, the project makes an important contribution to the integration of psychological personality, motivation, and relationship research, as well as applied practice.