Relationship Dynamics of the World’s Most Famous Music Couple:
Shawn (Jay-Z) and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
David J. Dzumba
PSYC 2600: Interpersonal Behavior
University of North Texas Relationship Dynamics of the World’s Most Famous Music Couple:
Shawn (Jay-Z) and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Abstract
There are many famous couples in the music industry, but none as successful as Beyoncé and Jay-Z . They have been together 15 years, married nine of those years, have three children, and earned $107.5 million in 2015-2016 (Mclean, 2016). Beyoncé and Jay-Z (also known as the Carters) are worth an estimated $1.16 billion, (Greensburg, 2016) and have been called the “world’s top power couple” (Stanger, 2015). Their business acumen is evident from their survival during a time when Internet file-sharing overtook record sales (El Gamal, 2012) and an ability to supplement concert earnings with other ventures (Shultz, 2009). In an industry fraught with failed marriages, the staying power of the Carters is rare, and the dynamics and strength of their relationship plays a part in their longevity. Analysis of Relationship – Attraction Theory Shawn and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter have much in common, and it is not surprising these similarities resulted in a romantic relationship. Both love music, are physically attractive, and have high-profile, high-stress careers. The Carters know the price of fame, and they value privacy within their high-visibility lives. Their similar social status and successes also are a contributing factor to their attractiveness to each other. Finkel (2012) noted “people tend to be more attracted to others who are familiar to them than to others who are not.” Beyoncé and Jay-Z may be perfect together, as their ideal partner preferences are fulfilled. These are “standards against which they compare their current outcomes, and one ubiquitous standard in the mating domain is the preference for particular attributes in a partner” (Eastwick, 2013). Zentner (2005) found that, “How two personalities may be best combined in a couple has often been answered in terms of similarity in partner’s personality characteristics but tthat relationship outcomes should depend more on the similarity between individuals’ ideal mate personality concepts (IMPCs) and their partner’s personality.” Six-Stage Model of Relationships The six-stage model of relationships according to DeVito (2016), includes “contact, involvement, intimacy, deterioration, repair, and dissolution” (pp. 224-229). In valuing their privacy, the Carters held a low public profile while dating for years. “They are intensely private people,” according to OK writer Laura Schreffler. “It took them years to even admit they were a couple, and they say more about themselves as a couple in their music than they do out loud,” Schreffler said, as quoted by Kaufman for MTV (2008). The Carters met in the late 1990s, collaborated on music together, and saw each other occasionally before becoming an exclusive couple following the contact and involvement relationship stages. …show more content…
In “Lost One,” Carter (2006), gives some insight into the early days of their dating: “I don’t think it’s meant to be/But she loves her work more than she does me/And honestly, at 23/I would probably love my work more than I did she.” In Jay-Z’s book Decoded (2011) and reported in Time magazine (n.d.), he explains those “Lost One” lyrics: “These lines are about trying to have a real, serious relationship with another ambitious professional … This is about how difficult it is to respect a lover as an autonomous human being, with separate needs and goals and timelines than yours. It’s one of the hardest things about a real relationship of equals. But it’s worth it.” Relationship stage three, intimacy, means “you commit yourself still further to the other person and establish a relationship in which this individual becomes your best or …show more content…
The “Snapchat is more personal: An exploratory study on Snapchat behaviors and young adult interpersonal relationships” study noted, “the features of Snapchat were perceived to be ideal for creating connection in the context of existing peer and romantic relationships” (Vaterlaus, et al., 2016). In the case of the Carters, we don’t know their habits for snapchatting each other, but we do know that Beyoncé uses this social media venue to connect and maintain relationships with her fans. In most cases the snaps are professionally done, but on occasion Beyoncé posts a more personal, filtered snap or one with her
Shawn (Jay-Z) and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
David J. Dzumba
PSYC 2600: Interpersonal Behavior
University of North Texas Relationship Dynamics of the World’s Most Famous Music Couple:
Shawn (Jay-Z) and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Abstract
There are many famous couples in the music industry, but none as successful as Beyoncé and Jay-Z . They have been together 15 years, married nine of those years, have three children, and earned $107.5 million in 2015-2016 (Mclean, 2016). Beyoncé and Jay-Z (also known as the Carters) are worth an estimated $1.16 billion, (Greensburg, 2016) and have been called the “world’s top power couple” (Stanger, 2015). Their business acumen is evident from their survival during a time when Internet file-sharing overtook record sales (El Gamal, 2012) and an ability to supplement concert earnings with other ventures (Shultz, 2009). In an industry fraught with failed marriages, the staying power of the Carters is rare, and the dynamics and strength of their relationship plays a part in their longevity. Analysis of Relationship – Attraction Theory Shawn and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter have much in common, and it is not surprising these similarities resulted in a romantic relationship. Both love music, are physically attractive, and have high-profile, high-stress careers. The Carters know the price of fame, and they value privacy within their high-visibility lives. Their similar social status and successes also are a contributing factor to their attractiveness to each other. Finkel (2012) noted “people tend to be more attracted to others who are familiar to them than to others who are not.” Beyoncé and Jay-Z may be perfect together, as their ideal partner preferences are fulfilled. These are “standards against which they compare their current outcomes, and one ubiquitous standard in the mating domain is the preference for particular attributes in a partner” (Eastwick, 2013). Zentner (2005) found that, “How two personalities may be best combined in a couple has often been answered in terms of similarity in partner’s personality characteristics but tthat relationship outcomes should depend more on the similarity between individuals’ ideal mate personality concepts (IMPCs) and their partner’s personality.” Six-Stage Model of Relationships The six-stage model of relationships according to DeVito (2016), includes “contact, involvement, intimacy, deterioration, repair, and dissolution” (pp. 224-229). In valuing their privacy, the Carters held a low public profile while dating for years. “They are intensely private people,” according to OK writer Laura Schreffler. “It took them years to even admit they were a couple, and they say more about themselves as a couple in their music than they do out loud,” Schreffler said, as quoted by Kaufman for MTV (2008). The Carters met in the late 1990s, collaborated on music together, and saw each other occasionally before becoming an exclusive couple following the contact and involvement relationship stages. …show more content…
In “Lost One,” Carter (2006), gives some insight into the early days of their dating: “I don’t think it’s meant to be/But she loves her work more than she does me/And honestly, at 23/I would probably love my work more than I did she.” In Jay-Z’s book Decoded (2011) and reported in Time magazine (n.d.), he explains those “Lost One” lyrics: “These lines are about trying to have a real, serious relationship with another ambitious professional … This is about how difficult it is to respect a lover as an autonomous human being, with separate needs and goals and timelines than yours. It’s one of the hardest things about a real relationship of equals. But it’s worth it.” Relationship stage three, intimacy, means “you commit yourself still further to the other person and establish a relationship in which this individual becomes your best or …show more content…
The “Snapchat is more personal: An exploratory study on Snapchat behaviors and young adult interpersonal relationships” study noted, “the features of Snapchat were perceived to be ideal for creating connection in the context of existing peer and romantic relationships” (Vaterlaus, et al., 2016). In the case of the Carters, we don’t know their habits for snapchatting each other, but we do know that Beyoncé uses this social media venue to connect and maintain relationships with her fans. In most cases the snaps are professionally done, but on occasion Beyoncé posts a more personal, filtered snap or one with her