Stimulus value role: A theory of marital choice.

A three-stage theory of marital choice is presented called Stimulus-Value-Role. The first (stimulus) stage consists of value satisfaction obtained by visual, auditory, and non-interactional means. The second (value) stage consists of values appreciated through verbal interaction, and the third (role) stage involves the ability of the couple to function in mutually assigned roles. Among the topics considered are whether similars or opposites marry, sex-drive, self-acceptance, neuroticism, physical attraction, greater importance of men in determining courtship progress, and imagined role-compatibility as opposed to actual role-compatibility. A series of 19 hypotheses and supporting data are presented.

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