Psychology 137C: Intimate Relationships
Week 1, Lecture 1:
Introduction
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Instructor:
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Benjamin Karney
Franz Hall 4560
karney@psych.ucla.edu
Office hours: Wed & Fri, 2:00-3:00
Teaching Assistant
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Natalie Castriotta
Franz Hall A-243C
ncastriotta@ucla.edu
Office hours: Wed. & Fri., 1:00-2:00
The Smartest Man in the World?
Albert Einstein
(March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955)
Einstein and Wife, 1911
Albert Einstein with Mileva Maric
Einstein and 2nd Wife, 1922
Albert Einstein with his second wife, Elsa Einstein
The Power of
Intimate Relationships
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Who cares about intimate relationships?
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(Hint: Everyone.)
Intimate Relationships and Happiness
Marriage
Family
Health
0.41
0.25
0.29
Friendships
Overall
happiness
in life
0.20
0.19
Hobbies
0.21
0.16
0.14
Community
Finances
Work
Glenn, N.D., & Weaver, C.N. (1981). The
contribution of marital happiness to global
happiness. Journal of Marriage and the
Family, 43, 161-168, Table 1 .
The Goals of this Course
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After this course you should have:
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Understanding of what scientists have learned about
intimacy and intimate relationships.
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Appreciation for the complexity involved in acquiring this
knowledge.
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Information to inform your opinion on current controversies
and issues related to relationships.
What Makes A Relationship?
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Interdependence
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Dimensions of Interdependence
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
frequency of contact
duration of contact
diversity of different interactions
direction of influence (uni or bidirectional)
strength of influence
What Makes A Close
Relationship?
"The close relationship is one of strong,
frequent, and diverse interdependence that
lasts over a considerable period of time."
(Kelley et al, 1983, p. 38)
What Makes An Intimate
Relationship?
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Recognizing the partner as special and unique;
this is a personal relationship.
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Desire, especially lust and sexual desire.
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Is physical intimacy by itself intimacy?
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Are intimate relationships the same as
romantic relationships?
Why Intimate Relationships
Matter
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Intimate relationships are universal.
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Intimate relationships are powerful.
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Fisher, 1989
Jankowiak & Fischer, 1992
Highest highs
Lowest lows
Intimate relationships affect our health.
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Coan, Schaefer, & Davidson, 2006
Coyne et al., 2001
What Do We Want To Know
About Intimate Relationships?
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The Longevity Question
Divorces
(X10,000)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
<1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Years Married
18
20
22
24
What Do We Want To Know
About Intimate Relationships?
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The Longevity Question
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The Satisfaction Question
What Do We Want To Know
About Intimate Relationships?
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The Longevity Question
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The Satisfaction Question
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The Change Question
What do we
need to
know to
understand
an intimate
relationship?
Course Materials
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Text
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Intimate Relationships by Bradbury and Karney
Families As They Really Are edited by Barbara Risman
Both books available as a bundle at the UCLA Bookstore
Copies are on reserve at Powell Library
Video clips
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http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/ssc/lederman/bradbury/bradbury.html#
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Lecture slides
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Announcements
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Make sure BOL has your correct email
Course Grading
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Exam 1: April 30th
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50 multiple choice questions
Paper: Due May 19th
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30%
Pick a topic of interest to you!
Exam 2: June 4th
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30%
40%
50 multiple choice questions
Not cumulative.
Special extra credit option: Copy edit our book!
Comment on Exams
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Sample questions will be circulated before the
midterm exam.
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Review sessions will be announced before both
exams.
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No make-ups.
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If you have too many exams on April 30th and June
4th, change your courses now.
For Additional Info
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Check out the Relationship Institute at UCLA
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www.uclarelationshipinstitute.org
Follow us on Twitter!
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http://twitter.com/UCLA_RI