Analysis of Functions of Talk and Reports of Imagined Interactions (Us) During Engagement and Marriage

Research has revealed that individuals vary in their philosophy about marriage in terms of the amount of sharing and communication that is expected in the relationship. This study examined individual differences as a function of gender, marital status (engaged, married) and marital orientation (traditional, independent) on beliefs about talk based on a functional approach and reports of various characteristics of imagined interactions (self-talk). A factor analysis was conducted on beliefs about the functions of talk with the relational partner and in social situations. There were 4 dimensions for talk functions: equality of power, talk about daily events, use of small talk to avoid discussion of conflict, and the enjoyment of serious discussion. Regression models were tested to predict relational satisfaction on the basis of talk functions and characteristics of internal dialogues that included the frequency of internal dialogues, discrepancy, pleasantness, specificity, variety, compensation, and rehearsal. Results revealed differences as a consequence of gender, marital status, and orientation.     

Existential Group Therapy as a Treatment Modality for Exiting Christian Fundamentalists

This article suggests that existential concepts can be useful in group therapy with exiting Christian Fundamentalists.     

Facework Solidarity,Approbation, and Tact

This study extended Brown and Levinson's model of politeness in order to explain more complicated forms of interaction and proposed three different types of facework: solidarity, approbation, and tact. The effects of three social factors—relational intimacy, power difference, and the right to perform a given act in a given situation—on the three types of facework were examined. Relational intimacy was the strongest positive predictor of facework. Its effect was consistent across different types of facework and across different levels of power and right. The right to perform a certain act and speaker's power decreased facework, but these effects were mediated by relational intimacy, achieving significance mainly in distant relationships. The study also examined the relationships among different types of facework. Respondents used multiple types of facework when multiple face wants were threatened, and the use of one type of facework did not decrease the use of other types.