Developments in the Field of Close Relationships

Abstract

Research on interactional processes in marriage is reviewed to illustrate how advances in the field of close relationships have created a foundation for progress in the domains of public education, newlywed counseling, and marital therapy. First, the transition from serious dating to marriage is characterized using the concepts of mutual responsiveness and compatibility. Major themes and assumptions underlying approaches to marital therapy are then examined in the light of research on patterns of social exchange, communication and problem solving, interpersonal perception, and interdependence in marriage. It is suggested that findings in these four areas provide a basis for articulating and modifying interventions for marital distress.