Chapter 2

Question 1

Magic Bullet

Answer 1

There is no “magic bullet” in relationships - no single simple solution to making a relationship last

Question 2

Challenges with relationship research

Answer 2

1. psychological constructs (love, trust) are hard to measured
2. multiple factors influence them
3. couples are not objects, variability in behaviour

Question 3

Good measurement must be…

Answer 3

1. Valid - measures what it claims to measure
2. Reliable - consistent results across different people and time
3. Minimally invasive - doesn’t interfere with natural behaviour
4. Cost-effective

Question 4

Types of measurement

Answer 4

1. Self-Report
2. Observational Method
3. Indirect Measure

Question 5

Self-Report

Answer 5

• Most common
• participants describe their own relationships
  1. fixed response - ex. rating scales
  2. open-ended - ex. “tell me about your relationship”

Challenges
- social desirability bias
- lack of insight
- misinterpretation

Question 6

Observational Method

Answer 6

• observes couples interacting
  1. Partner-reported - ex. one partner rates the others’ behaviour
  2. Direct observation - ex. researchers code behaviours during interactions

Challenges
- sentiment override (persons feelings about the relationship shape how they interpret their partners actions)
- Interrater reliability (different researchers may code behaviours differently
- People act differently when observed
- expensive and time consuming

Question 7

Indirect Measures

Answer 7

• less common but useful
• ways to measure thought, feelings or reactions without asking people directly
• useful because…
  1. people might not be aware of their feelings
  2. people might lie
  3. reactions could happen automatically
  Reaction time
• faster = stronger subconscious association
• slower = weaker or conflicting
  psychological measures how the body reacts