ABSTRACT

The Relationship Schema Coding System assesses the behavioral manifestations of individuals’ Relationship-Schematic Processing (i.e., the tendency to attend to and give relationship or emotional meaning to events that happen within and outside of an individual’s romantic relationship). The coding system generally measures three dimensions of relationship processing: quantity, quality, and valence. The following example illustrates Relationship-Schematic Processing and highlights the utility of examining partners’ processing styles:

Judy feels neglected by her husband Stan because he does not talk to her when he gets home from work. Typically, he heads straight to the family room and turns on the television. Judy interprets Stan’s behavior to mean that he does not value her enough to share the details of his day, and, subsequently, she feels neglected, foolish, and angry. Stan, on the other hand, is tired after work and does not want to talk about his day. He wants to leave his stress at the office and use home as his place to relax. At times, Judy attempts to coerce Stan into talking to her. He then becomes annoyed and frustrated that even his home is not relaxing. He does not understand why Judy cannot give him a few minutes alone to relax after work. He believes she blows the whole situation out of proportion.