Examined whether spouses' attributions for partner behavior are related to their behavior by assessing their attributions and observing the problem-solving discussions of cohabitating couples (n=52) in which neither spouse was depressed or distressed, the wife was depressed and both spouses were distressed, and the wife was not depressed and both…

In this study, the model of two independent dimensions of family connectedness, closeness-caregiving, and intrusiveness, was tested by assessing spouses from 264 couples, using the California Inventory for Family Assessment (CIFA). As predicted, factor analyses distinguished dimensions of intrusiveness (blurring of boundaries) from…

The objective of this paper is to investigate the consequences of early, on time, and late marriage in the lives of white women who are members of an historically significant cohort (birthdates 1925-29) in the 1970 National Fertility Study. (Author)

Using "talk time" measures of spouse/stranger interaction styles, tested models of communication. Concluded that (1) a spillover interactionist model best represented the talk time data; (2) sex had no apparent effect on speaking with either a spouse or a stranger; and (3) few personality variables predicted talk time, though relationship…

This paper presents a paradigm for research in the area of evolutionary sexual behavior in marriage. (Author)

An analysis of the extraverbal communication processes in newlywed couples is described. The aim of the research was to discover whether certain extraverbal communications are related to happiness in a marriage and, eventually, to its duration. Among specific significant findings with regard to behavior ratings were: (1) chair distance was…

It was found that the going-together couples held traditional orientations toward each other with commitment to marriage forming a strong part of this orientation. The effects on marriage rates for living-together couples were seen to depend upon which of the partner's positions prevailed. (Author)

Marital adjustment over the family life cycle is reexamined using data from probability samples of married couples studied in coordinated research projects in three different states--Iowa, Ohio, and Georgia. (Author)

Methodological sophistication and conceptual complexity in the area of marital power has resulted in more questions than answers. The greatest danger of such a situation is a cessation of research motivated by fear of added mistakes, and supposedly justified by the lack of better measures and conceptualizations. Two particular stumbling blocks…

Examines relationship between social class and marital communication style. Style refers to ways in which messages are sent rather than content. Four interaction styles are employed: conventional, controlling, speculative, and contactful. All classes have the same general rank order regarding styles, suggesting class differences are matters of…

In Nigeria, various forms of polygamy and monogamy are practiced; however, monogamy is more or less practiced by many Christians and a greater percentage of younger men. A survey of marital success and failure was conducted with samples of Nigerian Diploma students and selected educated community members. Subjects completed two instruments, the…

In order to identify behavioral cues which contribute to judgments of marital satisfaction/distress, 40 undergraduate judges rated the level of marital satisfaction of 24 couples shown on videotape and then listed the behavioral cues used in making their judgments. The stimulus tapes were problem-solving interactions of both distressed and…

This is a revision of a paper read at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association in San Francisco, August 28-31, 1967. Support from the Graduate Committee on Research of Northwestern University.

The lifetime family, the family of ego, is distinguished from the lineage family which is the family lasting through time over generations. Use of the term lifetime family career and lineage family cycle is suggested. The family career is used to describe the participation of a person in the family. (Author)

In this speech delivered to the annual meeting of the National Council on Family Relations, the author reviews five papers presented for discussion, and integrates them into treatment of the family, gender role and sexuality. She further indicates theoretical flaws and weaknesses, as well as problems in the fieldwork on data accumulation. (MML)