Final answer:
While increased trust, reduced stress, and sexual satisfaction are clear benefits of comfort in interpersonal relationships, decreased likelihood of conflict is not necessarily a benefit because conflicts can still occur. Comfort can reduce frequency or intensity but not entirely prevent disagreements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within the paradigm of social exchange theory, individuals seek to maximize the benefits of interpersonal relationships while minimizing the costs. When considering the list of possible benefits that come with comfort in relationships, three options clearly point to the advantages individuals might seek: increased trust and intimacy (Option 1), reduced stress and anxiety (Option 2), and increased sexual satisfaction (Option 3). These aspects enhance the quality and stability of relationships, whether romantic or platonic.
However, it is not necessarily true that comfort in interpersonal relationships will always lead to a decreased likelihood of conflict (Option 4). While comfort can facilitate smoother interactions and perhaps reduce the frequency or intensity of conflicts, it does not inherently eliminate disagreements or differing opinions that may arise. Conflicts, both minor and significant, are a natural part of any relationship, and thus, comfort does not remove the possibility of conflicts occurring.
Clearly, the social support garnered from strong relationships can be incredibly comforting and provide a buffer against life stressors as noted by Baumeister & Leary (1995) and Baron & Kerr (2003). However, claiming that conflict likelihood decreases purely due to comfort might be an oversimplification, as Luo (2014) found that excessive communication could even reduce relationship satisfaction. Therefore, the final answer into line explanation in 300 words is that Option 4, Decreased likelihood of conflict, is NOT a benefit of comfort in interpersonal relationships.