1. 1 Psychology 320: Gender Psychology Lecture 38

2. 2 Invitational Office Hour Invitations, by Student Number for January 21 st 11:30-12:30, 3:30-4:30 Kenny 2517 16146078 32039091 34887091 35122092 40971087

3. 3 Romantic Relationships: 3. What factors determine relationship satisfaction for females and males? 2. What strategies do females and males use to maintain romantic relationships? 1. Are there sex differences in the experience of love? (continued)

4. 4 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. discuss sex similarities and differences in beliefs about romantic love. 2. discuss sex similarities and differences in the use of relationship maintenance strategies. 3. identify factors that influence relationship satisfaction among males and females.

5. 5 In addition to examining sex similarities and differences related to theories of love, researchers have examined beliefs about romantic love among the sexes. Hendrick and Hendrick (2002) Used the Romantic Beliefs Scale to assess four beliefs related to romantic love: Are there sex differences in the experience of love? (continued)

6. 6 BeliefSample Items Love finds a way.If I love someone, I will find a way for us to be together regardless of the opposition to the relationship, physical distance between us or any other barrier. I expect that in my relationship, romantic love will really last; it won’t fade with time. One and only true love. There will be only one real love for me. I believe that to be truly in love is to be in love forever. Idealization of partner. The person I love will make a perfect romantic partner; for example, he/she will be completely accepting, loving, and understanding. The relationship I will have with my ‘true love’ will be nearly perfect. Love at first sight. When I find my ‘true love’ I will probably know it soon after we meet. I am likely to fall in love almost immediately if I meet the right person. Sample Items from the Romantic Beliefs Scale (Sprecher & Metts, 1989)

7. 7  Found that males scored higher than females. Significant sex differences were found for idealization of partner and love at first sight.  Thus, contrary to sex stereotypes, males are more likely than females to hold romantic notions about love.

8. 8 What strategies do females and males use to maintain romantic relationships? Relationship maintenance is a subject of both academic and popular interest: Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage (Gottman, Gottman, & Declaire, 2006). Romance Rehab: 10 Steps to Rescue Your Relationship (Hoistad, 2010). Relationship Rescue (McGraw, 2007). Couple Skills: Making Your Relationship Work (McKay, Fanning, & Paleg, 2006).

9. 9 Canary and Stafford (1992)  Asked married couples to complete a daily diary in which they recorded how frequently they used each strategy over a two-week period.  Identified five strategies that people use to maintain romantic relationships.

10. 10 StrategySample Items Division of tasksI do my fair share of work we have to do. I share in the joint responsibilities that face us. PositivityI try to build up my partner’s self-esteem, including giving him or her compliments and the like. I do not criticize my partner. AssuranceI stress my commitment to my partner. I show my love for my partner. Utilization of network I show that I am willing to do things with my partner’s friends or family. I include our friends or family in our activities. Self-disclosureI encourage my partner to disclose thoughts and feelings to me. I like to have periodic talks about our relationship. Strategies Used to Maintain Romantic Relationships (Canary & Stafford, 1992)

11. 11  Found that: (a) the relative frequency with which the maintenance strategies are used is the same for females and males: Division of tasks, positivity, assurance, utilization of network, and self-disclosure. (b) females use more maintenance strategies than males: Self-disclosure, utilization of network, division of tasks. (c) assurance by females is the strongest predictor of relationship commitment among males and females.

12. 12 Canary and Wahba (2006)  Found that: (a) use of maintenance strategies by females is positively correlated with use of maintenance strategies by male partners; females’ perceptions of equity within the relationship; and levels of love, commitment and satisfaction in the relationship. (b) femininity is more strongly related to use of maintenance strategies than sex.

13. 13 What factors determine relationship satisfaction for females and males? 1.Gender roles: Research indicates that femininity is a stronger predictor of relationship satisfaction than masculinity among females and males: Antill (1983)  Assessed marital “happiness” as a function of spouses’ scores on the Bem Sex Role Inventory.

14. 14  Found that: (a) Spouses with similar scores on the BSRI (e.g., AA, FF) reported greater marital happiness than spouses with “complementary” scores (MF, AU) on the BSRI. (b) MF couples (i.e., traditional couples with a masculine male and feminine female) reported less marital happiness than most other pairings (exceptions: UM, UA, MU).

15. 15 Romantic Relationships: 3. What factors determine relationship satisfaction for females and males? 2. What strategies do females and males use to maintain romantic relationships? 1. Are there sex differences in the experience of love? (continued)