What is a main challenge in relationship research?
Ethical and privacy concerns make it hard to study intimate processes objectively.
Define operationalization.
Specifying how abstract variables (like satisfaction) are measured or observed in practice.
What is a self-report method?
Participants describe their feelings, attitudes, or behaviors directly, often via questionnaires or interviews.
What are two drawbacks of self-reports?
Social desirability bias and inaccurate memory or perception.
What is observational research?
Researchers record partners’ behaviors during interactions, either in lab or natural settings.
What is physiological measurement?
Monitoring biological indicators like cortisol, heart rate, or brain activation to assess emotional states.
Define correlational design.
Examines associations between naturally occurring variables without manipulation—cannot infer causation.
Define experimental design.
Manipulates an independent variable with random assignment to test causal effects on a dependent variable.
What is longitudinal research?
Tracks the same couples or individuals over time to examine stability and change.
What is cross-sectional research?
Compares different individuals or couples at one point in time.
What is a daily diary or experience sampling study?
Participants record experiences and feelings in real time to capture natural fluctuations.
What is sampling bias?
When participants are not representative of the larger population, limiting generalizability.
Why is diversity important in participant samples?
Relationship processes can vary by culture, gender, and social class.
List three main ethical principles in relationship research.
Informed consent, confidentiality, and debriefing after participation.
What is reactivity?
When participants change behavior because they know they’re being observed.
