Understanding Marriage: Developments in the Study of Couple Interaction

by Edited by Patricia Noller , Judith A. Feeney

• ISBN13: 9780521102391
• ISBN10: 0521102391
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-12
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This edited volume draws together a wide range of exciting developments in the study of marital interaction. A significant feature of the book is its focus, not only on conflict and negative interactions but also on the processes by which couples maintain happy and constructive relationships. The chapters review and integrate the extensive literature in this area, as well as presenting important research findings. The contributors come from the disciplines of communication, social psychology and clinical psychology, and have national and international reputations for their work in this area. The findings reflect developments in theory and methodology, and have important implications for those working to strengthen and repair marital relationships.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Effect of Cognition on Interaction Patterns

Introduction to Part 1

Thought and action: connecting attributions to behaviours in married couples' interactions

Self-evaluation motives in close relationships: a model of global enhancement and specific verification

Competition in romantic relationships: do partners build niches?

Cognition and communication during marital conflict: how alcohol affects subjective coding of interaction in aggressive and non-aggressive couples

Understanding the Importance of Positive Interaction

Introduction to Part 2

Observational 'windows' to intimacy processes in marriage

Bases for giving benefits in marriage: what is ideal? what is realistic? what really happens?

Shared participation in self-expanding activities: positive effects on experienced marital quality Arthur Aron

Coping with Disappointment, Criticism and Betrayal

Introduction to Part 3

Coping with disappointments in marriage: when partners' standards are unmet

On empathic accuracy and husbands' abusiveness: the 'overattribution bias'

The war of the roses: an interdependence analysis of betrayal and forgiveness

Power, Conflict and Violence in Marital Interaction

Introduction to Part 4

Demand-withdraw communication during couple conflict: a review and analysis

Approaches to the study of power in violent and nonviolent marriages, and in gay male and lesbian cohabiting relationships

The communication of couples in violent and nonviolent relationships: temporal associations with own and partners' anxiety/arousal and behavior

Marital Interaction at Important Transition Periods

Introduction to Part 5

Adult attachment, the transition to parenthood, and marital well-being

Allocation and performance of household tasks: a comparison of new parents and childless couples

Caregiving and its influence on marital interactions between older spouses

Interventions for Strengthening Relationships

Introduction to Part 6

Risk factors, risk processes, and the longitudinal course of newlywed marriage

Does working at a relationship work? relationship self-regulation and relationship outcomes

Conclusions

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