Instructor: Teaching Assistant Benjamin Karney Franz Hall 4560 Psychology 137C: Intimate Relationships Week 1, Lecture 1: Introduction Instructor: Benjamin Karney Franz Hall 4560 karney@psych.ucla.edu Office hours: Wed & Fri, 2:00-3:00 Teaching Assistant Natalie Castriotta Franz Hall A-243C ncastriotta@ucla.edu Office hours: Wed. & Fri., 1:00-2:00

The Smartest Man in the World? Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955)

Einstein and Wife, 1911 Albert Einstein with Mileva Maric

Einstein and 2nd Wife, 1922 Albert Einstein with his second wife, Elsa Einstein

The Power of Intimate Relationships Who cares about intimate relationships? (Hint: Everyone.) Intimate Relationships and Happiness

Overall happiness in life Marriage Health Hobbies Finances Work Community Friendships Family 0.14 0.16 0.21 0.19 0.20 0.29 0.41 0.25 Glenn, N.D., & Weaver, C.N. (1981). The contribution of marital happiness to global happiness. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 43, 161-168, Table 1 .

The Goals of this Course After this course you should have: Understanding of what scientists have learned about intimacy and intimate relationships. Appreciation for the complexity involved in acquiring this knowledge. Information to inform your opinion on current controversies and issues related to relationships.

What Makes A Relationship? Interdependence Dimensions of Interdependence 1. frequency of contact 2. duration of contact 3. diversity of different interactions 4. direction of influence (uni or bidirectional) 5. strength of influence

What Makes A Close Relationship? "The close relationship is one of strong, frequent, and diverse interdependence that lasts over a considerable period of time." (Kelley et al, 1983, p. 38)

What Makes An Intimate Relationship? Recognizing the partner as special and unique; this is a personal relationship. Desire, especially lust and sexual desire. Is physical intimacy by itself intimacy? Are intimate relationships the same as romantic relationships?

Why Intimate Relationships Matter Intimate relationships are universal. Fisher, 1989 Jankowiak & Fischer, 1992 Intimate relationships are powerful. Highest highs Lowest lows Intimate relationships affect our health. Coan, Schaefer, & Davidson, 2006 Coyne et al., 2001

What Do We Want To Know About Intimate Relationships? The Longevity Question

What Do We Want To Know About Intimate Relationships? The Longevity Question The Satisfaction Question

What Do We Want To Know About Intimate Relationships? The Longevity Question The Satisfaction Question The Change Question

What do we need to know to understand an intimate relationship?

Course Materials Text Video clips Lecture slides Announcements Intimate Relationships by Bradbury and Karney Families As They Really Are edited by Barbara Risman Both books available as a bundle at the UCLA Bookstore Copies are on reserve at Powell Library Video clips http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/ssc/lederman/bradbury/bradbury.html# Lecture slides Announcements Make sure BOL has your correct email

Special extra credit option: Copy edit our book! Course Grading Exam 1: April 30th 30% 50 multiple choice questions Paper: Due May 19th 30% Pick a topic of interest to you! Exam 2: June 4th 40% Not cumulative. Special extra credit option: Copy edit our book!

Comment on Exams Sample questions will be circulated before the midterm exam. Review sessions will be announced before both exams. No make-ups. If you have too many exams on April 30th and June 4th, change your courses now.

For Additional Info Check out the Relationship Institute at UCLA www.uclarelationshipinstitute.org Follow us on Twitter! http://twitter.com/UCLA_RI