The Emotion-in-Relationships model (ERM) describes a theory designed to predict individual's experiences towards emotions.
The situation is unconsciously evaluated, leading to a positive or negative feeling, which depends on whether the violation of the expectancies is a facilitation or a threat.
[1] ERM is based on George Mandler’s interruption theory,[2] which states that emotion is experienced when there is a change in relating patterns, meaning that a partner (not necessarily romantic) behaves in unexpected or unusual ways.
[2] ERM defines a close relationship and describes how expectancies and disruption of behavioral activities could lead to emotional arousal.
Each partner also has their own activity chain in which organized action sequences are formed as parts of higher-order plans.
The closer the relationship is, the more frequent, diverse and stronger the interconnections between activities of two persons are over a long time duration.
This web of expectancies includes characteristics, personality, but also behavioral dispositions, attitudes and habits that a partner forms towards their mate.
The aim of these routines is to reconcile the individual's plans and goals to enhance each other's welfare through coordination of daily activities.
In a long-term relationship an unexpected loss of a partner, through rejection or death, can even result in enormous grief or anger.
In contrast, if the relationship is rather superficial and the partners are living independently, there are fewer opportunities for expectancy violation and, if so, the consequences are less severe to the individual's well-being.
[3] The favorable or unfavorable judgment of the conversation can be provoked by the individual experiencing the current interaction as either unpleasant or effective.
Suggesting that the interpretation of a message is based on ERM, the time partners invest in shared activity is modulated.
[4] ERM is based on individual organised sequences of behavior, like hopes and dreams, and is therefore not easy to test in an experimental way.