Dr. Irene Hanson Frieze
Professor of Psychology
Office: 3329 Sennott Square (624-4336)
Office hours: Wed: 4:30-5:30pm
Class Meets: 306 Cathedral
Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30pm
E-Mail: FRIEZE@pitt.edu
URL: http://www.pitt.edu/~frieze/
Spring 2008 : PSYCHOLOGY 1051 [13595]
TOPICS SOCIAL-INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
Course Description.
This upper level course presents a social-psychological research orientation toward the study of
close interpersonal relations. Topics include the nature of intimacy, individual differences in
relationship styles, attraction to others, relationship expectations, types of communication, power
and violence, breakups and loneliness. We will also look at different types of relationships such as
heterosexual and homosexual romantic relationships, and friendships. There will be two exams,
and two short papers required for the class. In the papers, students will be asked to apply ideas
learned in class to analyze their own experiences with close relationships or those of people they
know.
Course Objectives. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
 Be aware of individual differences in people’s relationship styles and how these affect
people’s behaviors and their reactions to the behaviors of others.
 Critically evaluate reported research findings relating to close relationships.
 Realize that any conclusions of relationship research depend upon knowledge of the
underlying methodology and sample.
 Apply concepts from class to analyze personal experiences with close relationships.
Cross-listing: This course is cross listed with Women’s Studies and is one of the courses that can
be used for a Women’s Studies Certificate.
Required Text:
Miller, R. S., Perlman, D., & Brehm, S. S. (2007). Intimate relationships. (Fourth Edition).
Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education.
And other assigned readings and optional readings announced in class.
Course Requirements: [based on 1000 total points]
 Exams. There will be a midterm and a final exam. Each is worth up to 300 points for a total of
600. Exams will include essay questions and multiple choice questions. Makeup or late exams
will be all essays and are generally considered harder than the regular exams. A late final exam
will result in an automatic G grade, since it will be impossible to submit the grade in time.
2
 Written reports. These are formal papers showing how course materials are relevant in your
life or in the lives of people you know. These reports are worth a total of 300 points. See final
pages of the syllabus for more information.
 Class Participation and Attendance. Up to 100 points. Class discussion is especially important
for this course. Regular attendance is expected. This grade is based on how many classes are
actually attended and by the level of participation in each class. Signing the class attendance
sheets to document attendance is the student’s responsibility.
 Extra Credit. [A total of 40 points can be earned through extra credit]. Preparing multiple
choice questions for either or both of the exams. Up to 5 questions can be submitted up to one
week before each exam, based on lecture or assigned or optional readings for that exam.
Questions should have 5 possible answers, with the correct answer clearly identified. The
pages of the book or lecture topic that support the correct answer should be included for each
question. Each question submitted is worth up to 4 points. Grades are based on correctly
following the assignment, clarity, and not being too easy or too hard. Questions should be
submitted electronically and will be made available for other students to use in studying for the
exams.
Assigning Grades.
975-1000=A+
926-974=A
900-925=A-
875-899=B+
826-874=B
800-825=B-
775-799=C+
726-724=C
700-725=C-
600-699=D
Below 600=F
Tentative Class Schedule
January 9 - 23. Introduction and overview of the course. Attachment styles. Attraction.
 Chapter 1. The building blocks of relationships.
 Chapter 3. Attraction.
January 23 - 30. Social cognition.
 Chapter 4. Social cognition.
February 6. Verbal and nonverbal communication. Disclosure.
 Chapter 5. Communication
February 13. Social exchange. Exchange and communal relationships. Commitment.
 Chapter 6. Interdependency
February 20. First paper due in class. [More information in class on February 6]
February 20. Friendship. Changes across the lifespan. Need for intimacy.
 Chapter 7. Friendship.
3
February 27. First exam.
March 5. Love. Types of love. More on attachment styles.
 Chapter 8. Love
March 12. No class. Spring Break.
March 19. Problems in relationships. Jealousy.
 Chapter 10. Stresses and strains.
March 26. Power in relationships. Resources as power. Power motivation.
 Chapter 11. Power
April 2. Conflict in relationships. Intimate partner violence.
 Chapter 12. Conflict and violence.
April 9. Breakups. Divorce.
 Chapter 13. The dissolution and loss of relationships.
April 16. Second paper due in class.
April 16. Shyness and loneliness. Repairing relationships.
 Chapter 14. Shyness and loneliness.
 Chapter 15. Maintaining and repairing relationships.
Final Exam. Wednesday, April 23.
…………………………………………..
Requirements for Papers
Grading for the papers is based on primarily on accuracy and completeness in discussing course
material. All reports should refer to lecture AND textbook material in APA format (including
lecture dates and page numbers from the readings). Grades also relate to correctly following the
assignment, completeness of the analysis done, and clarity of the presentation. Each paper should
be based on interviews of three people to see how closely they fit the theory discussed in class.
For each paper, select one topic covered so far in class [since the first paper for the second paper].
[For example, you might select exchange and communal relationships for the first paper] Discuss
the relevant theory relating to this topic, citing course material [at least 2 pages]. Outline the logic
behind the people selected to be interviewed and the questions you ask them. [Relate these
questions to the theory, with citations]. Formally code the responses to the interviews and report
what you found. Discuss how the findings do or do not correspond with the initial theory you
outlined. First Paper due February 20. Second paper due April 16.