There is a tension between what spouses demand from their marriages and what they are capable of attaining from those marriages, according to recent psychology research. High standards, whether in caring, support, or independence, improve satisfaction only in strong marriages. For less strong marriages, such as those involving higher levels of indirect hostility or more severe problems, high standards further erode the relationship.

Source: High standards produce mixed effects on marriages

Great article about the science behind kissing in short and long term relationships. The take away is that the human mouth is possibly like a dog’s nose, and that if you and your partner are not kissing as usual…you must have done something displeasing and you are in the dog house, or he or she is searching for better dog chow!

What’s in a kiss? A new study suggests kissing helps us size up potential partners and, once in a relationship, may be a way of getting a partner to stick around.

Source: Kissing helps us find the right partner – and keep them

Great article about marriage in our different social classes in the United States. To me, this article emphasizes, statistically, the importance of completing college and not having children prior to marriage as well as waiting to pursue marriage until both partners are financially secure. Marriage is tough and only the beginning of the process in weathering the storm of life together. If both parties need the other and are advantaged by the other, the marriage is more likely to be a success. Marriage is a TEAM effort. We offer a Florida premarital preparation course that will assist you in determining whether your prospective partner is the right person for you, as well as to resolve any unfinished business between the two of you.

Source: Marriage has morphed into a means of supporting intensive investments in children — ScienceDaily

http://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/gay-marriage-is-biggest-florida-story-of-2015

 A Totally Online Florida Premarital Preparation $19.99 Course created by

a Psychologist and Relationship Expert just for Florida Residents (LGBT Friendly)

Florida Premarital Preparation $19.99 Course

Access Our Official Florida Premarital Preparation $19.99 Course Page Here

Our Florida Premarital Preparation $19.99 Course has been a smash hit this year for several reasons. First, if you take our course you no longer are faced with the three day waiting period to get your Florida marital license once you apply for your marriage license. Second, you will save $32.50 off your marriage license. Third and most importantly, you will gain highly valuable information about yourself, your partner, and your marriage that may actually lead to you more likely remaining married.

It is our hope that you consider taking our Florida online marriage course. Once you pay for the course through Paypal our by contacting our office at 904-379-8094 and paying by credit card, you will be provided with a password to access the course. Remember to look at your SPAM email in the event that you do not receive an email from us in one to two business hours. It is important that you spend four hours on the course to fulfill Florida’s requirement. However, know that our online marital course is not timed and is self paced, so you and your future spouse can spend as much time on the course as you wish.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Congratulations!

From USA Today

Here’s how often happy couples have sex

http://usat.ly/1O5Bx6N

Sex once per week is associated with happiness. This is a great read for couples considering getting married!

Our Washington County Florida Premarital Preparation Online Course ($19.99) helps you ensure your partner is right for you. Our Florida online premarital preparation course is approved and certified in all 67 counties of Florida. Our course saves you $32.50 on your marriage license and allows you to avoid the three day wait. In addition to taking our Premarital online counseling course whether you are in Washington County or another Florida county, we suggest that you read the following article about whether “birds of a feather flock together” or “opposites attract” which was written by our Psychology Intern from the University of North Florida, Brett Wallace.

Find our Official Florida Premarital Preparation Course Here

Dijkstra and Barelds (2008) conducted a study in which they wanted to see what people want in a romantic partner. The results showed that people tend to go for partners that are similar to them personality wise. When asked whether people wanted a complimentary or similar person as a romantic partner, most people said complimentary.  This seems contradictory at first, but, as the researchers noted, participants may thought about this question separate from personality. This brings up the question: “What is more important for a long-term relationship? Similarity or complimentary?”

Researchers frequently look at how homogamy predicts the probability of a romantic relationship.  Homogamy follows the principle of “birds of a feather flock together” (Sterbova & Valentova, 2012). Sterbova & Valentova (2012) noted that homogamy increased marital satisfaction and had a longer marriage. As to the reason people seek out individuals like them, Sterbova & Valentova argued that the reason for homogamy may be due to increased altruism between and for the couples and to an increase in the likelihood of passing on ones genes. Moreover, we are more likely to assist others that seem similar to us, and we tend to be more motivated to help those that are more similar to us. Together, this facilitates our genes and genes similar from continuing in the gene pool.  However, extreme homogamy (romantic relationship between relatives) seems to be naturally undesirable.

Castro, Hattori, & Lopes (2012) looked into how people pick a romantic partner. In their study they found that males tended to fit the idea that men go for women for their physical appearance. Women on the other hand, went for men that are similar to them in personality. At the very least this provides evidence that women prefer a person that is similar to them.  Lucas et al (2004) conducted a study of cultures in relation to homogamy. The cultures studied were American, British, Chinese, and Turkish. The results of this study were relatively similar, with couples with a high level of homogamy being more satisfied. Some discrepancies seemed to exist between cultures, though. The studies hypothesizes that this is due to culture norms.

So overall homogamy seems to play a decent role in how people decide who they will date and marry. So in the end “birds of a feather flock together” more than “opposites attract”, at least when it comes who we end up with at the end of the day.

References

Castro, F. N., Hattori, W. T., Lopes, F. A. (2012). Relationship maintanance or preference satisfaction? Male and female strategies in romantic partner choice.  Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology, 6(2), 217-226

Dijkstra, P. & Barelds, D. P. H. (2008). Do people know what they want: A similar or complementary partner? Evolutionary Psychology, 6, 595-602

Lucas, T. W., Wendorf, C. A., Imamoglu, E. O., Shen, J., Parkhill, M. R., Weisfield, C. C., & Weisfield, G. E. (2004).  Marital satisfaction in four cultures as a function of homogamy, male dominance and female attractiveness. Sexualities, Evolution & Gender, 6, 97-130.

Sterbova Z. & Valentova (2012).  Influence of homogamy, complementarity, and sexual   imprinting on mate choice. Anthropologie, 1, 47-59

We do hope that you decide to take our Florida Washington County Premarital Preparation Course. You will find it chock full of information about creating a successful marriage from the beginning. Remember, that in order to do so, it’s important to know what you are doing and  how to do it. Marriage is a difficult but rewarding journey. You will set yourself up for success by taking our Florida premarital preparation online course.

Best of Luck!

Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert

Florida Licensed Psychologist

D’Arienzo Psychological Group’s Florida Premarital Preparation Online Course

Our Walton County Florida Premarital Preparation Online Course ($19.99) helps you ensure your partner is right for you. Our Florida online premarital preparation course is approved and certified in all 67 counties of Florida. Our course saves you $32.50 on your marriage license and allows you to avoid the three day wait. In addition to taking our Premarital online counseling course whether you are in Walton County or another Florida county, we suggest that you read the following article about whether “birds of a feather flock together” or “opposites attract” which was written by our Psychology Intern from the University of North Florida, Brett Wallace.

Find our Official Florida Premarital Preparation Course Here

Dijkstra and Barelds (2008) conducted a study in which they wanted to see what people want in a romantic partner. The results showed that people tend to go for partners that are similar to them personality wise. When asked whether people wanted a complimentary or similar person as a romantic partner, most people said complimentary.  This seems contradictory at first, but, as the researchers noted, participants may thought about this question separate from personality. This brings up the question: “What is more important for a long-term relationship? Similarity or complimentary?”

Researchers frequently look at how homogamy predicts the probability of a romantic relationship.  Homogamy follows the principle of “birds of a feather flock together” (Sterbova & Valentova, 2012). Sterbova & Valentova (2012) noted that homogamy increased marital satisfaction and had a longer marriage. As to the reason people seek out individuals like them, Sterbova & Valentova argued that the reason for homogamy may be due to increased altruism between and for the couples and to an increase in the likelihood of passing on ones genes. Moreover, we are more likely to assist others that seem similar to us, and we tend to be more motivated to help those that are more similar to us. Together, this facilitates our genes and genes similar from continuing in the gene pool.  However, extreme homogamy (romantic relationship between relatives) seems to be naturally undesirable.

Castro, Hattori, & Lopes (2012) looked into how people pick a romantic partner. In their study they found that males tended to fit the idea that men go for women for their physical appearance. Women on the other hand, went for men that are similar to them in personality. At the very least this provides evidence that women prefer a person that is similar to them.  Lucas et al (2004) conducted a study of cultures in relation to homogamy. The cultures studied were American, British, Chinese, and Turkish. The results of this study were relatively similar, with couples with a high level of homogamy being more satisfied. Some discrepancies seemed to exist between cultures, though. The studies hypothesizes that this is due to culture norms.

So overall homogamy seems to play a decent role in how people decide who they will date and marry. So in the end “birds of a feather flock together” more than “opposites attract”, at least when it comes who we end up with at the end of the day.

References

Castro, F. N., Hattori, W. T., Lopes, F. A. (2012). Relationship maintanance or preference satisfaction? Male and female strategies in romantic partner choice.  Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology, 6(2), 217-226

Dijkstra, P. & Barelds, D. P. H. (2008). Do people know what they want: A similar or complementary partner? Evolutionary Psychology, 6, 595-602

Lucas, T. W., Wendorf, C. A., Imamoglu, E. O., Shen, J., Parkhill, M. R., Weisfield, C. C., & Weisfield, G. E. (2004).  Marital satisfaction in four cultures as a function of homogamy, male dominance and female attractiveness. Sexualities, Evolution & Gender, 6, 97-130.

Sterbova Z. & Valentova (2012).  Influence of homogamy, complementarity, and sexual   imprinting on mate choice. Anthropologie, 1, 47-59

We do hope that you decide to take our Florida Walton County Premarital Preparation Course. You will find it chock full of information about creating a successful marriage from the beginning. Remember, that in order to do so, it’s important to know what you are doing and  how to do it. Marriage is a difficult but rewarding journey. You will set yourself up for success by taking our Florida premarital preparation online course.

Best of Luck!

Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert

Florida Licensed Psychologist

D’Arienzo Psychological Group’s Florida Premarital Preparation Online Course