| Abstract: | 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. |
