Dr. Irene Hanson Frieze Class Meets: 306 Cathedral

Professor of Psychology Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30pm

Office: 3329 Sennott Square (624-4336) E-Mail:

Office hours: Wed: 4:30-5:30pmURL:

Spring 2008 : PSYCHOLOGY 1051 [13595]

TOPICS SOCIAL-INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

Course Description.

This upper level course presents a social-psychological research orientation toward the study ofclose 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 underlyingmethodology 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.

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+875-899=B+775-799=C+ 600-699=D

926-974=A826-874=B726-724=C Below 600=F

900-925=A-800-825=B- 700-725=C-

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.

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.