1 Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences January 22 Lecture 39

A little R&R …. (Review and Reflect) 2

3 Romantic Relationships 1. What factors determine relationship satisfaction for females and males? (continued) 2. What research findings have emerged regarding romantic relationships among individuals who identify as lesbian or gay?

4 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. review factors that influence relationship satisfaction among females and males. 2. explain the greater “transmission of affect” from males to females in romantic relationships. 3. compare and contrast romantic relationships among individuals who identify as heterosexual and individuals who identify as lesbian or gay.

5 2.Equity: Research indicates that equity influences relationship satisfaction among males and females:  Males and females who feel “over-benefitted” or “underbenefitted” in their relationship report less satisfaction than those who feel that their relationship is equitable (Cahn, 1992; Pillemer et al., 2008). What factors determine relationship satisfaction for females and males? (continued)

6 3.Male vs. female characteristics: Research indicates that the characteristics of males influence relationship satisfaction to a greater extent than the characteristics of females:  Husbands’ communication skills predict wives’ marital satisfaction; wives’ communication skills do not predict husbands’ marital satisfaction (Cordova, Gee, & Warren, 2005).

7  Husbands’ knowledge of sexual preferences predicts wives’ sexual satisfaction; wives’ knowledge of sexual preferences does not predict husbands’ sexual satisfaction (Purnine & Carey, 1997).

8  Husbands’ depression scores predict wives’ marital satisfaction; wives’ depression scores do not predict husbands’ marital satisfaction (Thompson, Whiffen, & Blain, 1995).  Husbands’ emotional states predict wives’ emotion states; wives’ emotional states do not predict husbands’ emotional states (Larson & Pleck, 1999).

9  How can we explain the greater “transmission of affect” from males to females in romantic relationships?

10 4.Relationship conflict: Research indicates that conflict influences relationship satisfaction among females and males:  For both sexes, the number of conflicts experienced and the success with which conflicts are resolved influence relationship satisfaction (Cramer, 2002).  Females and males identify similar sources of conflict in romantic relationships (e.g., deception; Helgeson, 1987).

11  When conflict occurs, males and females report similar levels of compromise and subordination (Neff & Harter, 2002). However, males are more likely than females to attempt to deescalate conflict or withdraw from conflict (Carstensen et al., 2004; Christensen & Heavey, 1990, 1993; Christensen, 2006).

12 Attempts to deescalate conflict lead to greater negative affect in one’s partner: Person A: Let’s talk about why you don’t help out more with the children (confrontation of conflict with negative affect)? Person B: You do such a good job with the children that it doesn’t seem like this is really an issue of conflict (attempt to deescalate conflict with positive statement). Person A: You just don’t get it, do you? If you spent more time with the children, you could do a good job too (more negative affect).

13 Attempts to withdraw from conflict lead to greater demand (i.e., the “demand/withdrawal” pattern): Person A: Why don’t you spend a little more time working inside the house? Person B: What? What do you mean? Person A: You are never at home and when you are at home, you spend all of your time reading. I have to clean up everything. Silence Person A: You could at least read Janie a bedtime story. Still no response. The sound of a newspaper opening is heard.

14 Wife demand/husband withdraw pattern is associated with lower levels of wife satisfaction; husband demand/wife withdraw pattern is associated with higher levels of wife satisfaction. Both patterns are unrelated to levels of husband satisfaction.

15 Recently, there has been increased interest in the study of same-sex relationships. This interest has been fueled by lesbian and gay advocates and debates regarding same-sex marriage. What research findings have emerged regarding romantic relationships among individuals who identify as lesbian or gay? Relatively little research has examined same-sex romantic relationships.

16 With respect to the topics that we have considered, this research has shown:

17 (a)Characteristics desired in a mate:  Lesbians and gay men value “internal” attributes (e.g., kind) more than “external” attributes (e.g., physically attractive; Peplau et al., 1997; Meier et al., 2009).

18  With respect to external attributes (Bailey et al., 1994; Gonzales & Meyers, 1993; Hatala & Prehodka, 1996 Meier et al., 2009): Gay and heterosexual men are more likely than lesbians and heterosexual women to emphasize physical appearance. Lesbians are less likely than heterosexual women to emphasize resource potential.

19 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. review factors that influence relationship satisfaction among females and males. 2. explain the greater “transmission of affect” from males to females in romantic relationships. 3. compare and contrast romantic relationships among individuals who identify as heterosexual and individuals who identify as lesbian or gay.