Jazmyn Ledford's List: WP#2: Birds of a feather flock together vs. opposites attract

Shiota, M. N., & Levenson, R. W. (2007). Birds of a feather don't always fly farthest: Similarity in Big Five personality predicts more negative marital satisfaction trajectories in long-term marriages. <i>Psychology and Aging, 22</i>(4), 666-675. doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.22.4.666

In research done at the University of California, Berkeley and Arizona State University in 2007; psychology professors, Shiota and Levenson found that the more similar a couple was in terms of the Big Five personality traits, the more likely they were to see negative slopes in marital satisfaction (Shiota & Levenson, 2007). The purpose of this study is to prove credible old studies as well as prove to other psychology enthusiasts that similarity in personality projects negative marital satisfaction. This supports my hypothesis, and therefore is relevant to the current study. I foresee myself using this credible APA approved journal as a main reference in my WP#3 project. To find information that shows personality predicts negative marital satisfaction, Shiota and Levenson (2007) conducted a longitudinal study of two different age grouped adults. One group was 40-50 and the other group was 60-70. Each couple within the group was presented with a survey in order to determine their personality compatibility as well as their marital satisfaction. In the end, Shiota and Levenson (2007) found that there was no difference between age groups and marital satisfaction. Also, Shiota and Levenson (2007) found no statistically significant results that suggest that personality has an effect on marital satisfaction. However, the research did suggest stronger trends in negative marital satisfaction with increased personality similarity. This source is pretty similar to a lot of sources that I have already found because most of them did not find statistically significant results. However, most of the sources have found that there are stronger trends in marital satisfaction with personality differences.

Gattis, K. S., Berns, S., Simpson, L., Christensen, A. (2004). Birds of a feather or strange birds? Ties among personality dimensions, similarity, and marital quality. <i>Journal of Family Psychology. 18</i>(4), 564-574. doi: 10.1037/0893-3200.18.4.564

On the contrary to research done by Shiota and Levenson; research done by psychology professors, Gattis, Berns, Simpson, and Christenson in 2004 aimed to support the idea that the more alike couples are, the happier their relationship will be. By method of newspaper and radio recruitment for free therapy, Gattis et al. (2004) got about one hundred and fifty married participants ranging from ages 21 to 72 to complete personality and relationship satisfaction surveys. The results of the study demonstrated that similarity in the Big Five personality traits are linked with relationship satisfaction (Gattis, Berns, Simpson, & Christenson, 2004). Also, the research suggested that higher levels of neuroticism, low levels of conscientiousness, and low levels of agreeableness were all in slight relation with marital dissatisfaction. These findings support the presented hypothesis that similarity in personality traits predicts marital satisfaction. With this information, other psychologists can further understand and predict how personality effects relationship satisfaction. The results of the study also suggested that personality plays a bigger factor in marital satisfaction than demographics. However, differences or similarity in personality traits did not independently predict satisfaction within a relationship (Gattis et al., 2004). The pairing of partners still seems to be at random (Gattis et al., 2004). This study is relevant to my study because it suggests that similarity suggests marital satisfaction. This is the opposite of my hypothesis, but provides formal, quality information to compare with my hypothesis. With that being said, I foresee myself using this in my final paper as a direct opposite of what I believe. It will be good to have the ability to compare so

Bouchard, G. (2003). Cognitive appraisals, neuroticism, and openness as correlates of coping strategies: An integrative model of adaptation to marital difficulties. <i>Canadian Journal of
Behavioural Science. 35</i>(1), 1-12. doi: 10.1037/h0087181

In a research study conducted by Bouchard in 2003, two hundred couples ranging from ages 18 to 69 were chosen to evaluate the relationship between coping strategies and personality traits (Bouchard 2003). Each couple completed a series of surveys to determine their personalities and how they cope with problems. Ultimately, Bouchard (2003) found that neuroticism (one of the traits of the Big Five personality measures) is associated with distance and avoidance in problem solving. Similarly, Bouchard (2003) found that openness, another trait of the Big Five personality measure, was associated with practical problem solving. These findings indicate that the more neuroticism found in a relationship, the more likely the couple is to distance themselves when problems arise in their relationship. This suggests that there is negative marital satisfaction when there is neuroticism present due to their problems never being fully discussed or worked out. These findings also suggest that positive personality traits, not a similarity or difference in personality traits, predict healthier relationships (Bouchard 2003). This study has relevance to the current issue because it displays real life examples of how personality affects relationships. It shows that specific traits play a role in how couples function during conflict, which in turn displays the couple’s satisfaction in their relationship. This is relevant to my study because it gives me another idea of which personality traits play a factor in happy relationships. Also, it shows me another aspect of satisfaction in a relationship.

O'Rourke, N., Fraser, S., Neufeld, E., Claxton, A., & Smith, J. Z. (2010). Knowing me-knowing you: Reported personality and trait discrepancies as predictors of marital idealization between long-wed spouses. <i> Psychology and Aging, 25</i>(2), 412-421. doi: 10.1037/a0017873

A 2010 study conducted by Gerontology professor O’Rourke, Fraser, Neufeld, Claxton, and Smith evaluated the idea that a person thinks higher of their spouse than the spouse thinks of themselves. This study was conducted for each of the 5 traits represented by the big five personality traits in older couples married for at least 20 years. (O’Rourke, Fraser, Neufeld, Claxton, & Smith, 2010) Results of the study showed that women had more positive marital idealization with more positive trait discrepancies (bigger difference in how their husband sees them than how they see themselves), whereas the men had no statistically significant results, but favored intracouple ratings in marital idealization (O’Rourke et. al., 2010). Furthermore, the researchers found a trend in neuroticism having a negative effect on marital idealization, whereas conscientiousness and agreeableness were found to favor marital idealization. This article is loosely related to my issue because it talks about big five personality traits and how they affect couples in long-term relationships. It does not necessarily discuss how personality effects their satisfaction; however, it does discuss how personality effects their marital idealization. There is enough supporting information in this article that I can pick it apart to support my case.

Asendorpf, J. B. (1998). Personality effects on social relationships. <i>Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74</i>(6), 1531-1544. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.74.6.1531

In 1998, Asendorpf conducted an 18 month study where students from Humboldt University participated in surveys, optional diary writing, as well as relationship questionnaires. Results of the study showed that personality has an effect on relationships, but that relationships do not have an effect on personality (Asendorpf, 1998). This is different than the research found by Schooley because that research suggests that relationships affect personality. Over 50 years later, Asendorpf (1998) is suggesting that relationships do not have an effect on personality. Results of this study showed that changes in qualities within a relationship did not relate to changes within personality traits (Asendorpf, 1998). However, the study did find that traits, such as extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness had a great influence on the quality and quantity of a participant’s social relationships (Asendorpf, 1998). This study is relevant to my current study because it discusses personality effects on all social relationships. Hopefully I can compare this research with other research that I have found, such as research done by Shiota and Levenson, to show what personality traits specifically predict satisfaction in social relationships. More specifically, which personality traits predict satisfaction in marriage.

Schooley, M. (1936). Personality resemblances among married couples. <i>The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 31</i>(3), 340-347. doi: 10.1037/h0055382

In a study conducted by psychology professor, Mary Schooley, at Pennsylvania State in 1936, it was found that people tend to marry people with similar personality characteristics (Schooley, 1936). Unfortunately, this research is somewhat outdated considering the fact that it was conducted in 1936. However, this scholarly journal can still be used for basic information to show an opposing side to my hypothesis: opposites attract. It can also be used to display the changes that have occurred since 1936. To conduct this study, many different surveys of many different traits were administered (Schooley, 1936). Couples then completed the surveys and the researcher compared results between couples (Schooley, 1936). Results showed that in 1936, couples tended to marry someone similar to themselves (Schooley, 1936). Also, it was found that couples grow more alike as they grow older (Schooley, 1936). Another interesting thing for me to look at would be why couples married similar partners then, and why people marry opposite partners now.

Carrére, S., Buehlman, K. T., Gottman, J. M., Coan, J. A., Ruckstuhl, L. (2000). Predicting marital stability and divorce in newlywed couples. <i>Journal of Family Psychology, 14</i>(1), 42-58. doi: 10.1037/0893-3200.14.1.42

In 2000, the American Psychological Association published a longitudinal research study conducted by Carrére, Buehlman, Gottman, Coan, and Ruckstuhl that focused on what predictions could be made about a couple’s future based on the stability of their marriage. The study was of about 100 newlywed couples that began in 1993. At the end of the study, the research done by psychology professors, Carrére et al. (2000) demonstrated statistically significant results showing that couples who divorced before 1995 had a statistically significant difference in original scores of marital bonds than those who did not divorce (Carrére, Buehlman, Gottman, Coan, Ruckstuhl, 2000). Therefore, Carrére et al. (2000) supported the idea that couples with good emotional communication tend to have more successful relationships. This finding could loosely relate to the idea that better scores on agreeableness will predict higher marital satisfaction. This source is relevant to the current issue: birds of a feather flock together vs. opposites attract because it shows how low marital bonds can predict failure in a relationship. It will help my study because I will be able to further understand what a strong marital bond consists of and how personality effects it.

Lawrence, J. (2005-2011). Do Opposites Attract? Experts say having more of the right similarities is more helpful in a relationship. Retrieved on March 3rd 2011 from http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/do-opposites-attract.

According to an article written in 2006 by Phoenix medical journalist, Jean Lawrence and reviewed by Dr. Louise Chang; people search for complements, rather that opposites or identical people. Paul Cutright, author of You’re Never Upset for the Reason you Think, believes that “unresolved patterns attract” and that humans search for someone complementary to help the learning, healing, and growing process. (Lawrence, 2006). In one study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the conclusion was that "In Western society, humans use neither an 'opposites-attract' nor a 'reproductive-potentials-attract' rule in their choice of long-term partners, but rather a 'likes-attract' rule based on a preference for partners who are similar to themselves across a number of characteristics." (Lawrence, 2006). William Ickes, PhD, also says that people look for complements, not someone identical or else everyone would be gay or asexual. (Lawrence, 2006). On the complete contrary, social psychologist Susan K. Perry says that people have a tendency to look for someone exactly similar to themselves. This article is relevant to the issue of birds of a feather vs. opposites attract because it offers a new perspective: people search for complements. It is different than other journal articles because it is one of the only ones that offer the idea of complementary couples, rather than opposites or identical couples. I foresee myself using this source in my final paper as a new perspective on how couples function together. It is something that I never thought about and would like to explore further as I begin my paper.