SOCIAL-INFLUENCE TECHNIQUES DURING MARITAL CONFLICT

The use of social influence techniques was examined in two studies of marital conflict. In each study couples discussed two issues in counte rbalanced order: one in which the husband wanted change and one in whi ch the wife wanted change. Interactions were coded for the use of infl uence techniques. Evidence from both studies supported a social role e xplanation, such that roles based on who wanted change predicted the u se of influence, whereas gender did not. Secondary hypotheses based on attribution theory and schema theory were also supported. When discus sing areas in which they wanted change in partners, spouses made more partner attributions, were more likely to suggest change, and were mor e likely to explain their partners' behavior than when discussing area s in which their partners wanted change. However, they were more likel y to ask questions to clarify the problem when discussing a change the ir partners wanted in them than when discussing a change they wanted. The importance of considering social structural variables such as soci al roles in examining conflict interactions is discussed.