Study Guide for Section I: Conceptions of Marriage
 
                 Lecture and reading materials

    1. What are constructs? Theories differ according to the constructs they
employ. Identify the three conceptions of marital interaction. Note the
major differences among the classes of constructs that they employ.
    2. Identify at least three major constructs, within each of the three models
(or conceptions), that best describe the uniqueness of each model. Note the important
ways the models differ in their choice of constructs.
    3. Our definition of marriage emphasizes the role of "patterning." Therefore,
it is reasonable to look for evidence of patterning in each of the three models.
What constructs do each utilize that relate to patterning? If patterning refers to
"repeated transactions," what ideas does each model emphasize that can help us
understand "patterning"?
   4. Theories of marital functioning must of necessity tell us something
about "marital satisfaction." (Remember, our task to is understand variance
in satisfaction.) One way to describe differences and similarities between and
among conceptions is in how they talk about marital satisfaction. What is
necessary for a definition of satisfaction according to each view point? How
does one achieve marital satisfaction according to each model?


Identifying Some Key Ideas from Readings about each Model

(Also see lecture notes)
1. Psychodynamic Model
             "Couples are usually attracted by shared developmental failures."
                  Skynner 1976. What does this mean in psychodynamic theory?

   A. Object relations perspective
         What does object refer to?
         Introjected objects?
         Collusion as unconscious agreement
         Ambivalence
         Intrapsychic awareness
         Transference
    B . Self-Psychology perspective
          Narcissistic vulnerability

2. Behavioral/Social Learning Model (based on Halford et al)

     What characterizes the dyadic or behavioral focus to couples?
     What does "dyadic focus" refer to?
     How does this approach (self-regulation) differ from the psychodynamic approaches?
     What do "generalization effects" refer to when discussing marital therapy?
     Compare this approach with the OMSP model presented in lecture:
        are they compatible with one another or are they vastly different?

3. Systems Approaches (Family as a Psychosocial System)

This article introduces a new set of vocabulary terms and a different way to view how
relationships are organized. Become familiar with the terms and as you read try to think
up examples to fit the constructs they offer. Lecture materials will follow the chapter
closely.

Special notes for Karney and Bradbury article (Reading Packet  #2)

          This is the most difficult article you be reading for this course. It is here because
          it introduces you to some major ideas, and it describes major theories that you
         will find necessary throughout the course. The outline below will help you focus
         on what is important.
 

     1. Most of the research and theory on marriage is based on static or cross -
sectional studies. Theory and research have lagged in defining how relationships
change over time (i.e., longitudinal designs). To speak of change you must know
where you started from, ergo, developmental approach.

     2. K & B first describe some possible theories (models) of marriage (e.,g., social
exchange and behavior theories that we will also cover in lecture). They spell out what
each theory does well and what each does not do well (i.e., does or does not explain change).

    3. Next step, they (K&B) looked at all the published empirical longitudinal studies (115
of them!) and found what the studies tell us about (a) constructs, (b) independent variables
(IVs) and (c) dependent variables (DVs) (Who did the study, how many subjects etc.
are not important to us at this time.) Thus, looking at the columns in their table one
sees the range of DVs (constructs related to satisfaction and stability). These are the
constructs that we will want to know more about throughout this course.

     4. K&B then evaluate the methodological strengths and weaknesses of the
studies taken as a whole. If there are method problems we will have less faith in
their findings. Seems reasonable. But the list --like their review article-- is very long!

     5. Then they take the findings they have sifted out, like flour, and try to
describe their own model of marriage and marital change based on the facts that survived
their critiques. Note: this is precisely how we work in Psychology: get the empirical data
and use it to construct a model. If the model leads to testable hypotheses it is good;
we can  then find out whether hypotheses from the model are supported or refuted.
Ideas must be testable (refutable)  for them to be useful in behavioral science!

     6. Their model of change involves pathways. They point out how different
sets of variables should lead to predictable outcomes. Paths involve sequences
--follow the bouncing ball! What influences marital stability? Marital quality?
Many things. How? Usually through sequence of combinations (e.g., something
leads to stress, but how stress is handled is more important than absolute amount
of stress, etc. etc.). Pathways are  like mediators, they indicate how effects are changed
as a result of intervening variables.

     7. "How should I study this article?" After seeing the logic (as spelled out above)
get a sense of the constructs described by each of the theories. Get a sense of how people
have studied relationships (self-report vs. behavioral observation). Try to follow the steps
of the model K&B propose by working through the sequences (some sequences feed
backwards, which is OK).

     8. Section I of the course is designed to familiarize you with constructs that will form the
basis for the rest of the course. Your awareness of the different marital theories is important.