INTRODUCTION TO INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Spring 2006
SPCL 091P Sect 16
Tuesday 6-8 PM Graham Memorial 210
Student Instructors: Caroline Oppenheimer (oppenca@email.unc.edu) and
Dave Szwedo (szwedo@email.unc.edu)
Course Website: www.unc.edu/courses/2006spring/spcl/091p/016
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will review scientific research findings on many issues relating to romantic
relationships. Relationships are often depicted in television, movies, novels, and songs, and as a
result we are inundated with stereoptypes and attitudes regarding love and marriage. During the
course of the semester, we will compare research with our own expectations of relationships as
perpetuated by the media and other sources. We will explore such topics as communication,
conflict, love, and stresses and strains in relationships which will allow us to better understand the
ingredients of happy relationships versus unhappy ones.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the semester you should be able to:
 Recall research findings on a wide range of issues regarding romantic relationships
 Evaluate the veracity of stereotypes in the media
 Critique empirical theories and findings in the relationship literature
 Compare and critique opinions and advice given in the popular press (i.e. self-help books) to
empirical findings discussed in class
 Apply some of the information learned to your own relationships
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance
We want this to be a fun, enjoyable class with brief assignments that do not create much
stress or anxiety. Therefore, attendance and participation are a big part of our assessment of your
performance in this class. Two absences without penalty are allowed, but beyond that you must
come and talk to us beforehand if you need to miss class or you will risk failing.
Reaction Papers
You are required to write 7 reaction papers to pass this course. These are to be written in
response to the class material (readings, discussions, lectures) presented on a given day, and are due
the week after that day. These papers should be 1-2 pages long, double spaced, and should address
your reactions to the class material. You might want to discuss how you’ve learned something that
you did not know before, or apply what you learned to your observations of your friends’
relationships, or your own experiences. You might also want to compare class material to a
relationship in a movie or on a television show. These are fairly open ended, and must simply
demonstrate that you have understood and are thinking about what we discuss in class.
Literature Presentations
Each student will be responsible for guiding the class through the assigned reading for a
particular day. This is not a formal presentation, but requires that you come prepared to discuss the
material and direct the rest of the group through its main points and questions. On the day you
present, please come to class with a brief outline of the article and two or three questions designed
to generate discussion in class. The readings are posted on the course website.
Final Paper
For your final paper you will be required to find a self-help book of your choice that gives
specific advice on how to behave in a romantic relationship. You will write a 3-5 page paper,
double spaced, on whether you agree or disagree with this advice. You must use research discussed
in class to support your argument.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
January 17th – Introduction
 What are our expectations for love and marriage?
 How is our expectation for marriage different from other cultures and periods in history?
 What are the benefits of marriage and committed relationships?
 What are the outcomes of marital discord?
Suggested reading:
Scheinkman, M. (2005). Beyond the trauma of betrayal: Reconsidering affairs in couples
therapy. Family Process, 44, 227-244.
Film clip: Pretty Woman
January 24th – Attraction
 What do we consider physically attractive and why?
 Why are certain types of people attracted to one another?
 What are other reasons for attraction besides personality and physical appearance?
Readings:
Bressler, E.R., & Balshine, S. (2005). The influence of humor on
desirability. Evolution and Human Behavior (in press).
Schmitt, D.P., & Shackelford, T.K. (2003). Nifty ways to leave your lover: The
tactics people use to entice and disguise process of human mate poaching.
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29, 1018-1035.
January 31st – Social Cognition
 How important are first impressions?
 Do expectations guide behavior?
 Just how well can we expect to know our partners?
Reading:
Kurzban, R., & Weeden, J. (2005). Hurrydate: Mate preferences in action. Evolution and
Human Behavior, 26, 227-244.
Film clip: There’s Something About Mary
February 7th – Communication
 How does communication differ between happy and unhappy couples?
 What are examples of nonverbal communication?
 Are there gender differences in communication?
Film clip: Adult-Adult Interaction
Readings:
Gladwell, M. (2005). Blink. Pgs. 18-34.
Cox, M., Heilbron, N., Pressel, A., & Schudlich, T. (2005). Marital Observational Coding
Manual.
February 14th – Love
 Has love always been associated with marriage?
 What is the triangular theory of love?
 Does love last?
 What are some explanations of love?
Reading:
Sprecher, S. (1999). “I love you more today than yesterday”: Romantic partners’ perceptions
of changes in love and related affect over time. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 76, 46-53.
February 21st – Attachment
 What are attachments and how are they formed?
 How long do they last? Can we change them?
 What are the implications for romantic relationships?
Reading:
Paley, B., Cox, M.J., Burchinal, M.R., & Payne, C.C. (1999). Attachment and marital
functioning: Comparison of spouses with continuous-secure, earned-secure, dismissing, and
preoccupied attachment stances. Journal of Family Psychology, 13, 580-597.
Film clip: Ainsworth’s Strange Situation
February 28th – Interdependency
 How are relationships like economies? What is exchanged?
 What determines if we’ll stay in our current relationships?
 Why do some relationships fall apart quickly?
 How can we remain satisfied in our relationships?
Reading:
Drigotas, S.M., Safstrom, C.A., & Gentilia, T. (1999). An investment model prediction of dating
infidelity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 509-524
Film clip: The 5th Element
March 7th – Sexuality
 Why do people have sex? Why don’t they?
 What is “sociosexuality” and how does it relate to infidelity?
 What determines sexual satisfaction?
 How do we communicate desire?
Reading:
Baumeister, R.F., & Vohs, K.D. (2004). Sexual economics: Sex as a female resource for social
exchange in heterosexual interactions. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 8, 339363.
Film clip: Kinsey
March 21st – Conflict and Violence
 Is conflict good or bad for relationships?
 What are common topics and triggers of conflict?
 How do unhappy couples handle conflict compared to happy ones?
 What are the different types of violence in relationships?
Reading:
Amato, P.R., & Booth, A. (2001). The Legacy of parents’ marital discord: Consequences
children’s marital quality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 627-638.
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Film clip: Newlyweds
March 28th – Stresses and Strains
 What prevents some relationships from ever beginning?
 Is jealousy a good test of love?
 Can we lie to our partners and get away with it?
Reading:
Fleischmann, A.A., Spitzberg, B.H., Andersen, P.A., & Roesch, S.C. (2005). Tickling the
monster: Jealousy induction in relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships,
22, 49-73.
Film clip: Unfaithful
April 4th – Power in Intimate Relationships
 What is the principle of least interest? Is it true?
 How is power communicated?
 Why do we have a need for power?
Reading:
Felmlee, D.H. (1994). Who’s on top? Power in romantic relationships. Sex Roles, 31, 275-295.
Film clip: Legally blonde
April 11th – Dissolution and Loss of Relationships
 Why has the divorce rate increased?
 What are the predictors of divorce?
 How does the dissolution of a relationship affect individuals?
 How does divorce affect children?
Reading:
Jeffry, A.S. (1987). The dissolution of romantic relationships: Factors involved in
relationship stability and emotional distress. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 53, 683-692.
April 18th - Fostering Relationships: Getting, Maintaining, and Repairing Them
 What are some strategies for maintaining relationship satisfaction over time?
 What are the ways in which people can repair relationships?
 What are the different approaches to couples therapy?
 Are interventions effective?
Reading:
Jacobson, N.S., & Addis, M.E. (1993). Research on couples and couple therapy: What do we
know? Where are we going? Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 85-93.
April 25th – Inverventions and Wrap Up
 Evaluation of class
 Discuss final questions and concerns
 Couples therapy demonstration
Guest Speaker: Nicole Heilbron
Final Paper Due