Affective Relational Theory in The Study of Organizational Dyadic Relational Dynamics

We propose an affective relational theory (ART) in order to explain the trajectories that dyadic work relationships take over time and across the relational dynamic spectrum: from strengthening, to becoming dormant (neither engaged nor avoided), to decaying or even dying. We use the circumplex model to distinguish affective states according to their hedonic tone and level of activation. Relational affect is conceptualized as how an individual feels toward another person during a typical interaction. We propose that the combination of positive rewards and negative punishments from the hedonic tone and motivation from the activation level is likely to lead to further (or lesser) relational activity, and that individuals within a given dyad may experience distinct relational affect. We predict how different possible dyadic combinations of relational affect will influence the evolution of a work relationship over time. We further present extensions to our proposed model showing the ways ART maybe applied, ada...