6b

PSY 1113 General Psychology

Fall 2024

Informed Opinion Paper

Friedel Mischler

Part 5A: Further Research and Conclusion Sections Introduction

Further Research Section

During the course of my study, I came across some evidence that opposes some of my ideas about the need for direct communication within marriage. De Netto et al. (2022) have found that indirect communication, mostly in Eastern cultures, can be a way to maintain compromise and avoid conflict. This view is different from my assertion that sensible and candid honesty is the best policy in marriage. The focus on the indirect means of communication including use of gestures and implication requires that the theoretical reasoning of the communication strategies must not be generalized form one culture to another.

Moreover, as much as I engaged in a research of articles focused on the need to maintain effective communication in marriage, I also came across some articles that provided counter argument, that is, argued that communication was not central to marital satisfaction. For instance, as highlighted by Carlson et al. (2022), although communication is vital, it is not the only determinant of marital success. However, they state that role of values similarity, respect, and equality in division of household labor may be even more critical to marital satisfaction. This made me question how much of a role communication really plays in creating long-term relationship dynamics and whether it is as essential to look at other aspects of the relationship.

However, there are some scholars who proposed that there will be a divorce even when there is direct communication. Williamson et al. (2021) used a sample to explore newlyweds and their communication processes over the first year of marriage, and concluded that even if the couple had many steady communication behaviors, 22 percent of the marriages were likely to end in divorce. This only amazed me about the idea – this characterized the extremely interdependent nature of communication unambiguously. Therefore, any research into communication in marriage should factor in emotional intelligence, individual factors such as self-esteem, and external stressors like employment.

References

Carlson, D. L., Miller, A. J., & Rudd, S. (2020). Division of Housework, Communication, and Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction.  Socius,  6, 2378023120924805. https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023120924805 .

De Netto, P. M., Quek, K. F., & Golden, K. J. (2021). Communication, the Heart of a Relationship: Examining Capitalization, Accommodation, and Self-Construal on Relationship Satisfaction.  Frontiers in psychology,  12, 767908. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.767908 .

Williamson, H. C. (2021). The Development of Communication Behavior over the Newlywed Years.  Journal of Family Psychology,  35(1), 11. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/fam0000780 .

Conclusion

In conclusion, the literature confirms that communication is one of the keys to marital health and longevity. My initial question, asking whether communication is a robust determinant of marital satisfaction, has therefore been supported by a significant number of studies. Such studies show that conflict can be reduced by adopting open, clear and respect communication and improves interaction between couples, which in turn results in enhanced marital satisfaction (Walker et al., 2024).

However, I also learned feedbacks that oppose the idea that communication is the only factor that define a happy marriage. Carlson et al. (2020) agree that other factors such as shared values and mutual respect were very important in relation to relationship quality. Williamson et al. (2021) also establish that self-esteem and emotional intelligence level may also have an impact on the quality of communication in marriage. This broader view suggests that although communication appears to be a significant component it should be viewed as one piece in the mosaic of the marital puzzle.

Future research should direct attention to the intrapersonal and interpersonal antecedents of communication, and its subsequent relation to marital adjustment. I still hold the view that communication should be given much consideration but I now realize that it is just but a factor that can be supplemented by other factors which do emerge in the ever-changing social environments and perspectives on communication in marriage.

References

Carlson, D. L., Miller, A. J., & Rudd, S. (2020). Division of Housework, Communication, and Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction.  Socius,  6, 2378023120924805. https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023120924805 .

Williamson, H. C. (2021). The Development of Communication Behavior over the Newlywed Years.  Journal of Family Psychology,  35(1), 11. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/fam0000780 .

Walker, S. A., Pinkus, R. T., Olderbak, S., & MacCann, C. (2024). People with higher relationship satisfaction use more humor, valuing, and receptive listening to regulate their partners’ emotions. Current Psychology, 2348-2356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04432-4 .