The increasing popularity of contracting and negotiation training with marital couples suggests a need for systematic analysis of the models available for such training. Working within a behavioral framework two major categories of contracting are developed, and their logical form is considered. (Author)

New findings from research, leading to new insights, have in the past ten years revealed that effective couple communication is a vital key to effective marital interaction. Some of these insights are listed and described, and the new concepts which have emerged are discussed. (Author)

This paper discusses couple decision making with reference to family planning. A decision process is suggested that involves three central factors: (1) the motivations of each partner; (2) the level of incentive to resolve their differences; and (3) the ability of the spouses to perceive, conceptualize, and communicate about their differences.…

Traditional festivals and customs of the Chinese people are described in this publication which can be used with secondary level students. In the margins of the text are numbers which indicate slides and cultural objects that relate to the text. The text, however, can be used without the slides and objects. The following festivals are described:…

A marital intervention method similar to conjoint counseling and requiring professional involvement with only one spouse in a marital dyad was investigated. Prior to the treatment, one spouse from each of 44 couples was trained in open, genuine self-disclosure and empathic understanding skills. After this training, 19 spouses trained their…

The attributes of couples planning to marry can affect their future relationship satisfaction. To study this phenomenon, a social exchange model was applied to a sample of couples planning to marry to assess the predictive validity of a measure of positive exchange. The longitudinal design of the two-and-a-half year investigation provided direct…

The effects of individual values upon the development of conflicts and the resolution of marital problems through counseling are explored, using the Interpersonal Growth Scale (IGS). This instrument is described as it evaluates the processes of growing apart and growing together, and notes operating values, determining their functions and…

Research directed toward combatting the problem of domestic violence involves consideration of certain variables related to implementing treatment regimens for battering males. The various characteristics of this population are discernable; the relationship of these factors has important implications for therapeutic intervention. The design and…

The concept of family life cycle has become increasingly prominent in the study of family development--the formation, maintenance, change, and dissolution of marriage and family relations. An evaluation of this concept is accomplished by examining the relationships between three possible stratification schemes: stage of the family life cycle,…

This paper describes a psychotherapeutic approach using psychodramatic procedures for training in handling of marital conflict. In this approach, persons are taught how to confront directly and deal actively with marital conflict situations. The author makes some theoretical assertions and then describes the psychodramatic procedures employed and…

A behaviorally oriented approach to facilitate marital satisfactions is presented in this paper. The underlying rationale of the approach is presented and discussed. Furthermore, the author describes the use of the following intervention techniques: change facilitating propaganda, specification of the behaviors desired to be facilitated,…

The author presents an historical perspective on abortion, contraception and marriage as a prelude to an examination of changing attitudes toward sex. The article deals with the negative effects attributed to the increased incidence of early dating and early marriage of teenagers in the United States. The author also assumes positions on such…

Included are two comprehensive bibliographies for the marriage and divorce counselor. The one on more recent books on the subject of divorce has been annotated by the author, while the list on assorted materials contains only citations. (HMV)