PSYC 367/WmSt 366:  Gender Issues in Psychology

Spring 2004            Virginia Norris, Ph.D.

All dates are subject to change.  Announcements in class supersede internet material.

CHAPTER 11
FAMILY & FRIENDS: ATTACHMENT, INTIMACY, & POWER
SELF-DISCLOSURE
  • Why is it Important?
  • Relationships
  • Stability
  • Gender-Related
    •
  • Sex Differences
  • Middle is man to woman
    •
  • BUT
    •


    MARRIAGE

    • Statistics
    • "Traditional" Marriage
    • Economics
    • Other Arrangements
    • Remarriage
    • Parenting
    • Single Parents
    • Unmarried Mothers
    • No Children
    • Stepfamilies
    • Older Families
    • Types of Marriages
      • "His" Marriage
        • Married men are better off than unmarried men.
        • Married men are happier about being married than their wives are.
      • "Her" Marriage
        • Better physical health than men
        • Live longer than men
      • BUT
        • Mental Health
        • Suicide Rates
        • Economics
        • Friendships
        • Self-esteem
    • The Shock Theory of Marriage
      • Changes That Create Dependence: Becoming a Legal Nonentity
      • Changes That Affect Self-Esteem
      • The Nature of the Housewife Role
  • Factors Contributing to Marital Success
    • Good Communication Patterns
    • Focused Time Together
    • Shared Values
    • Physical Intimacy
    • Emotional Closeness
    • Empathy
      •
    • Factors Predicting Marital Satisfaction
    • Affective Communication
    • Problem-Solving Communication
    • Sexual Satisfaction
    • Agreement about Finances
      •
    • A study of 351 married couples found four factors related to successful marriage.
    • Spouses in successful marriages say their relationship lasted because...
    • Friendship
    • My spouse is my best friend
    • I like my spouse as a person
      •
    • Commitment
    • Marriage is a long-term commitment.
    • Marriage is sacred.
    • I want the relationship to succeed.
    • An enduring marriage is important to social stability.
      •
    • Similarity
    • We agree on aims and goals.
    • We agree on a philosophy of life.
    • We agree on how and how often to show affection.
    • We agree about our sex life.
      •
    • Positive Affect
    • My spouse has grown more interesting.
    • We laugh together.
    • I am proud of my spouse’s achievements.
      •
    • Predictors of Marital Problems
    • Meeting on the rebound
    • Living too close to or too far from families of origin
    • Differences in race, religion, social class
    • Dependence on family for money, shelter, emotional support
    • Marriage less than six months after meeting OR following an engagement of more than 3 years
    • Marital instability in family of origin
    • Pregnancy before or during the first year of marriage
      •
    DIVORCE
  • Impact
  • Financial Well-Being
  • Emotional Well-Being
    • Adjustment
      • Preseparation
      • Postseparation