Examples

Mike learns that the company where he has worked for 9 years is downsizing in his division and that he is losing his job. His supervisor explains that Mike and his colleagues have become outmoded in their computer skills since the advent of new software and that it is cheaper for the company to hire a smaller number of new people rather than to retrain them. This sudden and unexpected turn of events leaves Mike feeling very dependent on his wife Susan for both financial help and emotional support while he updates his computer knowledge. He feels quite vulnerable because Susan is very secure in her job and it is not at all clear that circumstances would ever turn around in a way that would permit him to reciprocate the help he now needs. He comforts himself with the thought that Susan values him and will be willing to help in his time of need. After all, her vow was to care for him, “for better or for worse.” Despite Mike's hopes, what factors are likely to influence Susan's decision about whether to honor this pledge and provide costly support to him over an uncertain period of time?

In a different context, Brian and Jason have been close friends for over 10 years and have enjoyed a lot of good times together. The past 6 months have been extremely difficult for Jason. First his marriage ended and he had to make the many adjustments involved in adapting to a single life.