Romantic relationships are typically characterized by many positive experiences; however, over time partners can fall into a rut and become bored with each other and the relationship. The perceptions partners have of each other's relational boredom, however, has been almost entirely unexplored by research to date. Using the Truth and Bias (T&B) Model of judgment, the present research investigated the interplay of directional bias, tracking accuracy, and assumed similarity in romantic partners' perceptions of each other's relational boredom, as well as the relationship implications of these perceptions. Results revealed that partners marginally overestimated, but did accurately track, each other's levels of boredom. Partners also projected their own feelings of boredom onto their judgments of their partner. Additionally, the interaction of these perceptual processes had unique consequences for actors' and partners' relationship quality.
