Self and partner perceptions of the appropriateness of emotions

The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions of appropriateness of emotion experience and expression by individuals and their partners and the degree to which perceptions converge or diverge across stages of relationship development. A laboratory study of 60 romantic couples was conducted. The results showed that individuals rated their emotion experiences as more appropriate than did their partners, and negative emotions were considered less appropriate to experience and express than positive emotions. A significant interaction was found between source of perception and level of relationship development on perceptions of appropriateness of emotion expression, with couples at the earliest stage showing the most divergence in perceptions. Implications are discussed.