Psychology 137C: Psychology 137C: Intimate RelationshipsIntimate Relationships Week 1, Lecture 2: Week 1, Lecture 2:

MethodsMethodsRemindersReminders::

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Please read everything in the syllabus.

People Disagree about Intimate Relationships

Attraction: Express interest or play hard to get?

Conflict: Should couples embrace it or avoid it?

Divorce: How does it affect children?

How do we decide where the truth lies?

Methods MatterMethods Matter

Direct experience matters, but people have different experiences.

What if we want to give advice, or set policy?

What tools have we got for sorting out different versions of the truth about intimate relationships?

What do we measure?What do we measure?

Relationship science measures Relationship science measures constructsconstructs..

Construct:Construct: An abstract idea (e.g., love, An abstract idea (e.g., love,

commitment, satisfaction)commitment, satisfaction)

Operationalization:Operationalization: The process of translating an abstract The process of translating an abstract

idea into concrete terms so it can be idea into concrete terms so it can be studied.studied.

Example: Example: How can we measure How can we measure

love?love? Strategy #1: Self-reportsStrategy #1: Self-reports

Some things you just have to ask Some things you just have to ask about.about.

The Love Scale Answer the following questions concerning your attitude toward your current romantic partner. Rate on a scale of 1 (indicating strong disagreement) to 9 (indicating strong agreement).

1. If my partner were feeling badly, my first duty would be to cheer him/her up.

2. I feel that I can confide in my partner about virtually everything. 3. I find it easy to ignore my partner’s faults.4. I would do almost anything for my partner.5. I feel very possessive toward my partner.6. If I could never be with my partner, I would feel miserable.7. If I were lonely, my first thought would be to seek my partner out.8. One of my primary concerns is my partner’s welfare.9. I would forgive my partner for practically anything.10.I feel responsible for my partner’s well-being.11.When I am with my partner, I spend a good deal of time just looking at

him/her.12.I would greatly enjoy being confided in by my partner.13.It would be hard for me to get along without my partner. Source: From “Measurement of Romantic Love,” by Z. Rubin, 1970, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 16(2), pp. 265–273.

Pros and Cons of Self-Pros and Cons of Self-ReportsReports

ProsPros:: Easy to doEasy to do

CheapCheap

QuickQuick

Sometimes gets Sometimes gets at exactly what at exactly what we want to know.we want to know.

ConsCons:: People do not People do not

always tell the truth.always tell the truth. Research on violent Research on violent

behavior.behavior.

People do not People do not always always knowknow the the truth.truth.

Jacobson & Moore, Jacobson & Moore, 1980.1980.

So, how can we measure So, how can we measure love?love?

Strategy #2: Systematic Strategy #2: Systematic ObservationObservation

What should we observe?What should we observe? Verbal communication Non-verbal communication Written communication Biological responses

Pros and Cons of Pros and Cons of ObservationObservation

Pros:Pros: Very relevant (if Very relevant (if

you choose well).you choose well).

Great detail.Great detail.

Ability to define Ability to define things.things.

Cons:Cons: Very expensive!Very expensive!

ReactivityReactivity

The meaning The meaning problemproblem

Designing ResearchDesigning Research

Cross-sectional Research Helps with description

Longitudinal Research Helps with prediction

Cross-sectional vs. Longitudinal The case of the disappearing curve

Marital Satisfaction Over Marital Satisfaction Over Time?Time?

Marital Satisfaction Over Marital Satisfaction Over Time!Time!

Who Are We Studying?Who Are We Studying?

Intimate Relationships may differ Intimate Relationships may differ for different groups of peoplefor different groups of people American vs. Chinese? Rich vs. Poor? Young vs. Old? Dating vs. Married?

Studying individuals or couples?Studying individuals or couples?

Is This Ethical?Is This Ethical?

The Power of Mere QuestionsThe Power of Mere Questions

The Effects of Being StudiedThe Effects of Being Studied

Costs vs. BenefitsCosts vs. Benefits

Ethical ObligationsEthical Obligations