Tatianna Smith and Ashley Allen

“We never talk about that”:A comparison of cross-sex

friendshipsand dating relationships on

uncertaintyand topic avoidance

Tatianna Smith and Ashley AllenTatianna Smith and Ashley Allen

Afifi, W.A., & Burgoon, J.K. (1998). “We never talk about that”: A Comparison of cross-sex friendships and dating relationships on uncertainty and topic avoidance. Personal Relationships, 5, 255-272.

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Introduction Study of cross-sex friendships and their Study of cross-sex friendships and their elevated levels of uncertainty and topic elevated levels of uncertainty and topic avoidance.avoidance.

Relationship between uncertainty and Relationship between uncertainty and topic avoidance.topic avoidance.

Comparison of cross-sex friendships with Comparison of cross-sex friendships with dating relationships.dating relationships.


Hypotheses Hypotheses H1: There is a positive linear relationship

between degree of uncertainty and amount of topic avoidance.

H2: Members of cross-sex friendships experience higher uncertainty regarding relational state than do members of dating relationships.

H3: Members of cross-sex friendships avoid discussion of relational state to a greater extent than do members of dating relationships.


MethodMethodSampleSample 72 Cross-Sex Friendship Pairs & 39 Dating Pairs 72 Cross-Sex Friendship Pairs & 39 Dating Pairs Had to know friend and/or partner for 2 monthsHad to know friend and/or partner for 2 months Undergrad College Students 18-42 years old.Undergrad College Students 18-42 years old. 86% were Caucasian & 9% were Hispanic86% were Caucasian & 9% were Hispanic Satisfaction levels were measured for both friends and daters Satisfaction levels were measured for both friends and daters

*On a 1 and 7 point scale, average satisfaction was 5*On a 1 and 7 point scale, average satisfaction was 5

ProcedureProcedure Participants completed two surveys independentlyParticipants completed two surveys independently

11stst survey: taken at home and mailed in to the survey: taken at home and mailed in to the experimentersexperimenters

22ndnd survey: taken in laboratory with experimenter present survey: taken in laboratory with experimenter present Participants were interviewed together for 20 minutes about Participants were interviewed together for 20 minutes about

issues of topic avoidance.issues of topic avoidance.Afifi, W.A., & Burgoon, J.K. (1998). “We never talk about that”: A Comparison of cross-sex friendships and dating relationships on uncertainty and topic avoidance. Personal Relationships, 5, 255-272.

MeasuresMeasures 1st survey measured: general uncertainty, 1st survey measured: general uncertainty,

relational state uncertainty, relational relational state uncertainty, relational satisfaction, jealousy experience, and satisfaction, jealousy experience, and social desirability. social desirability.

22ndnd survey measured: jealousy expression, survey measured: jealousy expression, topic avoidance, romantic interest, and topic avoidance, romantic interest, and relational closeness.relational closeness.

All scales were measured using 7-point All scales were measured using 7-point Likert-type scales.Likert-type scales.

One dyad was removed from sample due One dyad was removed from sample due to an event that occurred after 1to an event that occurred after 1stst survey survey that would alter response on 2that would alter response on 2ndnd survey. survey.


ResultsResults


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Friends

Dating

Means for topic avoidance by relationship type

Critical ReviewCritical ReviewStrengthsStrengths Controlled for satisfaction in both relationships. (in Controlled for satisfaction in both relationships. (in

relationships where people weren’t satisfied they would relationships where people weren’t satisfied they would have uncertainty and topic avoidance due to lack of have uncertainty and topic avoidance due to lack of communication, not other factors)communication, not other factors)

Multiple measures (two separate surveys and an Multiple measures (two separate surveys and an interview with experimenter) interview with experimenter)

Large sample size of over 100 participantsLarge sample size of over 100 participantsWeaknessesWeaknesses Methods section was unclear on how experimenters Methods section was unclear on how experimenters

distributed the surveysdistributed the surveys Primarily used Caucasian and Hispanic participants in Primarily used Caucasian and Hispanic participants in

the studythe study Used other study’s measures and did not operationally Used other study’s measures and did not operationally

define the measuresdefine the measuresAfifi, W.A., & Burgoon, J.K. (1998). “We never talk about that”: A Comparison of cross-sex friendships and dating relationships on uncertainty and topic avoidance. Personal Relationships, 5, 255-272.

Test QuestionsTest Questions1.1. Which issue was not measured in the study:Which issue was not measured in the study:

a) topic avoidanceb) general uncertaintyc) sexual fidelityd) romantic interest

2. How long did the participants have to know their friend or partner for in order to participate in the study?a) 2 monthsb) 8 monthsc) 1 yeard) 5 years

3. Dating relationships, in comparison to cross-sex friendships, avoided discussion more on the topic ofa) Relational stateb) Opposite Sex Friendshipsc) Same Sex Friendshipsd) Relational Norms

4. (T/F) The study focused on same-sex friendships and their elevated levels of uncertainty and topic avoidance.

5. (T/F) Members of cross-sex friendships avoid discussion of relational state to a greater extent than do members of dating relationships.

6. (T/F) The procedure in the study consisted of distributing two surveys and giving one interview.

Tatianna Smith and Ashley Allen

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