Applying Relational Goal Pursuit Theory (RGT), the present study examined the motivations for obsessive relational intrusion (ORI). Participants (n = 509) were randomly assigned to conditions that 1) primed relational or retaliatory goals, then 2) exposed to a negative romantic relationship vignette (relationship disappointment vs. explicit rejection vs. “nice” rejection), and 3) then were either induced to ruminate about the vignette events or were not. Participants reported how likely they would be to think about pursuit (e.g., frequent calls) and aggressive (e.g., threats) ORI. Contrary to expectations, rejection elicited less ORI than the relationship disappointment condition. However, it was found that 1) the ORI scale broke into a threeactor, instead of twoactor, model of pursuit, aggressive, and surveillance behavior, and 2) that motivations for each type varied. Relational goals predicted pursuit. Retaliation predicted aggression. Motives for surveillance behaviors were linked to both desires for revenge and reconciliation.

The present study applied the Investment Model (IM) to predict obsessive relational intrusion (ORI). Participants (n=685) were randomly assigned to read vignettes about a hypothetical relationship termination that manipulated 1) type of rejection, 2) level of investment, and 3) quality of alternatives. Next, participants were asked to report how likely it was that they would engage in pursuit (e.g., leaving gifts and calling) and aggressive (e.g., threatening behaviors) ORI. Contrary to predictions, results indicate that although level of investment affected one’s likelihood of engaging in ORI, quality of alternatives did not. Further, it was expected that a more explicit rejection would lead to greater ORI; however, I found that no rejection lead to more pursuit ORI than either internal or external rejection conditions.

abstract: The present study focused on those who had recently been involved in a romantic relationship that ended in a breakup. Data was collected from 326 participants using an online questionnaire. Participants were asked questions about goal linking, rumination, self-efficacy, Facebook ORI behaviors, and emotional response questions. The results indicated that there were two types of Facebook ORI behaviors: explicit and covert. Explicit ORI was predicted by self-efficacy among those whose partner ended the relationship, as well as goal linking when the breakup was self-initiated. Covert ORI was predicted by rumination across all levels of breakup initiator (self, partner, or mutual). Moreover, only general negative emotions predicted Covert ORI, but general negative emotion and positive emotion predicted Explicit ORI. Finally, the results showed that those who were broken up with engaged in more Covert ORI behaviors than those who ended the relationship themselves or who mutually ended the relationship. These results suggest that Relational Goal Pursuit theory, which is commonly used to explain ORI behavior, be reconceptualized. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Communication Studies 2014