Am I mistaken in thinking the answer to all my troubles is to meet a good partner, (and she the same?)?

grahamg

Old codger
This thread title is said "tongue in cheek" because I think I know the answer to the question I've posed already, but having said that a friend of my father's used to say: "The love of a good woman could carry a man forward, far better than any man could force him to go otherwise"!

Here anyway is some research on the thread topic, and I look forward to whatever anyone chooses to respond with to my un-genuine question, (and good luck with the "scoring system" given below too!):

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190211-the-dark-side-of-believing-in-true-love

Quote:
"Have you ever explained issues you have with your partner to your friends, only for them to think they are not worth worrying about? Or have you seen a friend start a new romance with someone you think is completely unsuitable but they seem to go from strength to strength?

Psychologists have found two scales that influence how we start and maintain relationships.

One measures how much importance we put onto first impressions and early signs of compatibility, while the other measures how likely we are to work through problems in relationships. They are called implicit theories of relationships (because we don’t often talk about them). We might intuitively think of ourselves as more or less likely to believe in true love – but this is not something that we openly discuss with others or are conscious of when we start new relationships.

Together, these two scales can tell us if we are more likely to avoid talking about issues with our partners, look for faults where they might not exist, and ‘ghost’ our way out of relationships. Differences in these implicit attitudes can also help us understand the reasons that others’ romantic choices often seem inexplicable to us."

To find out how you score, take the two quizzes below.

The Soul Mate scale

Answer the following questions on a scale of one to seven, where one is strongly disagree and seven is strongly agree.

1. Success in a romantic relationship is based mostly on whether the people are “right” for each other.

2. There is a person out there who is perfect (or close to perfect) for me.

3. In marriages, many people discover (vs. build) a deep intimate connection to their spouse.

4. It is extremely important that my spouse and I be passionately in love with each other after we are married.

5. I couldn't marry someone unless I was passionately in love with him or her.

6. There is no such thing as "Mr. Right" or "Ms. Right".

7. I expect my future husband or wife to be the most amazing person I have ever met.

8. People who are searching for a perfect match are wasting their time.

9. The reason most marriages fail is that people aren’t right for each other.

10. Bonds between people are usually there before you meet them.

Now for scoring. First add your answers for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10. For questions 6 and 8, you need to subtract each answer from the number 8 and use the new number as your answer for that question. For example, if you answered “6”, add a 2 to your total. Once you have your final total, divide by 10 to get your average for this scale.


The Work-it-out scale

Answer the following questions on a scale of one to seven, where one is strongly disagree and seven is strongly agree.

1. Success in a romantic relationship is based mostly on how much people try to make the relationship work.

2. In marriage, effort is more important than compatibility.


3. In a relationship, love grows (vs. love is found).

4. If people would just put in the effort, most marriages would work.

5. I could be happily married to most people, if they were reasonable.

6. The reason most marriages fail is that people don’t put in the effort.

7. How well you know someone depends on how long you have known him or her.

8. If I were to marry a random person, I would be satisfied.

9. Only over time can you really learn about your partner.

To find out your score, add together your answers and divide by 9.


The questions in this quiz are taken from the Relationship Theories Questionnaire used by ***** of Aurora University, Illinois, in her research into implicit theories and relationship satisfaction and longevity. ***** uses ‘Soulmate’ and ‘Work-it-out’ to describe the two scales. Other researchers use ‘destiny’ and ‘growth’ to describe similar scales.
 

In 1987 I worked for a professor of statistics who was writing software to use statistics to analyze social sciences. I used several of his programs to test many hypothesis( plural?) i had. It was a lot of fun, and I thought I gained insight at the time. Social science is a moving target, and linear models are insufficient to comprehend their complexity. Science and intuition are best used together, IMO.

I just looked up the place I used to work. It is still in operation....39 years...still at the same place too.

https://www.ideaworks.com/#main-slide
 
In 1987 I worked for a professor of statistics who was writing software to use statistics to analyze social sciences. I used several of his programs to test many hypothesis( plural?) i had. It was a lot of fun, and I thought I gained insight at the time. Social science is a moving target, and linear models are insufficient to comprehend their complexity. Science and intuition are best used together, IMO.

I just looked up the place I used to work. It is still in operation....39 years...still at the same place too.

https://www.ideaworks.com/#main-slide
I let chemistry be my guide, unfortunately. 🤣
 

Yes! Just as moving to another locale will not solve all one's troubles because we are still ourselves wherever we go, finding some mythical 'perfect partner' can not fix one's issues because we are still ourselves.

While certainly a 'good match' of a partner and healthy relationship can facilitate addressing one's issues/troubles---we still have to do the 'work' of it ourselves.
 
This thread title is said "tongue in cheek" because I think I know the answer to the question I've posed already, but having said that a friend of my father's used to say: "The love of a good woman could carry a man forward, far better than any man could force him to go otherwise"!

Here anyway is some research on the thread topic, and I look forward to whatever anyone chooses to respond with to my un-genuine question, (and good luck with the "scoring system" given below too!):

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190211-the-dark-side-of-believing-in-true-love

Quote:
"Have you ever explained issues you have with your partner to your friends, only for them to think they are not worth worrying about? Or have you seen a friend start a new romance with someone you think is completely unsuitable but they seem to go from strength to strength?

Psychologists have found two scales that influence how we start and maintain relationships.

One measures how much importance we put onto first impressions and early signs of compatibility, while the other measures how likely we are to work through problems in relationships. They are called implicit theories of relationships (because we don’t often talk about them). We might intuitively think of ourselves as more or less likely to believe in true love – but this is not something that we openly discuss with others or are conscious of when we start new relationships.

Together, these two scales can tell us if we are more likely to avoid talking about issues with our partners, look for faults where they might not exist, and ‘ghost’ our way out of relationships. Differences in these implicit attitudes can also help us understand the reasons that others’ romantic choices often seem inexplicable to us."

To find out how you score, take the two quizzes below.

The Soul Mate scale

Answer the following questions on a scale of one to seven, where one is strongly disagree and seven is strongly agree.

1. Success in a romantic relationship is based mostly on whether the people are “right” for each other.

2. There is a person out there who is perfect (or close to perfect) for me.

3. In marriages, many people discover (vs. build) a deep intimate connection to their spouse.

4. It is extremely important that my spouse and I be passionately in love with each other after we are married.

5. I couldn't marry someone unless I was passionately in love with him or her.

6. There is no such thing as "Mr. Right" or "Ms. Right".

7. I expect my future husband or wife to be the most amazing person I have ever met.

8. People who are searching for a perfect match are wasting their time.

9. The reason most marriages fail is that people aren’t right for each other.

10. Bonds between people are usually there before you meet them.

Now for scoring. First add your answers for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10. For questions 6 and 8, you need to subtract each answer from the number 8 and use the new number as your answer for that question. For example, if you answered “6”, add a 2 to your total. Once you have your final total, divide by 10 to get your average for this scale.


The Work-it-out scale

Answer the following questions on a scale of one to seven, where one is strongly disagree and seven is strongly agree.

1. Success in a romantic relationship is based mostly on how much people try to make the relationship work.

2. In marriage, effort is more important than compatibility.


3. In a relationship, love grows (vs. love is found).

4. If people would just put in the effort, most marriages would work.

5. I could be happily married to most people, if they were reasonable.

6. The reason most marriages fail is that people don’t put in the effort.

7. How well you know someone depends on how long you have known him or her.

8. If I were to marry a random person, I would be satisfied.

9. Only over time can you really learn about your partner.

To find out your score, add together your answers and divide by 9.


The questions in this quiz are taken from the Relationship Theories Questionnaire used by ***** of Aurora University, Illinois, in her research into implicit theories and relationship satisfaction and longevity. ***** uses ‘Soulmate’ and ‘Work-it-out’ to describe the two scales. Other researchers use ‘destiny’ and ‘growth’ to describe similar scales.
I scored about 3.9 on both quizzes but am unsure whether this is good or bad(?) :rolleyes::giggle::whistle::unsure:😢
 
Throw all that crap out the window
It'll happen......when it happens Am I mistaken in thinking the answer to all my troubles is to meet a good partner, (and she the same?)?
All your troubles will disappear...or seem like it.....'cause they tend to bring wheelbarrow loads of their own
Hey look, not all of us have all your positive attributes you know, (and I did ask all that b*****t tongue in cheek!!!!!!!!!!!!!). :sneaky:

Go on have a go at the quiz and then we'll have a laugh at each others scientifically arrived at answers. :LOL:
 
The advice I gave to my son when he was little, concerning his future:
Have a job you don't Hate that gives you the financial ability to enjoy life without debts & worries
Find a partner that you Love and Trust

He did.
A partner you Love and Trust will always make life better. It did mine, and does his.
 
The advice I gave to my son when he was little, concerning his future:
Have a job you don't Hate that gives you the financial ability to enjoy life without debts & worries
Find a partner that you Love and Trust
He did. A partner you Love and Trust will always make life better. It did mine, and does his.
My marriage failed, so could fairly be described as a disaster, or even a "mistake" as my ex. told our daughter, but for all that may be true, as far as I'm concerned it wasn't quite all wrong, or as wrong as you might think, because the personality and success of our daughter tells a slightly different story to the "it was all a mistake" view doesn't it! :unsure:
 
No need
I've taken the 52 year test
Turns out None of the Above has been the answer across the board
My old boss used to say, when asked about the secret of success in management, was: "The secret is there is no secret"!

You can probably imagine how that Quixotic statement got the assembled throng of managers thinking cant you, - our government using him on occasion as a guest speaker at events they sponsored, and if I were to give a view I'd say it was the whole way he handled himself, grabbing your attention straight away, and with humour and insightful advice, "shined us dull pennies or coins" (referring to staff like myself)! :)
 
Last week I read some where that the problem with our society is too many choices and too many self-improvement Grus and books on self-improvement. There is no perfect man and there is no perfect woman.

From my 43 in matrimony bliss, I am far from "know it all" type of guy but I have learned some things. Being kind and patient goes a long way. Love your mate and forget the rest. Help around the house. Go out on dates once in a while. If a man buy her flowers for birthdays and anniversaries. Tell her/him that you love them and say it often and when you say it look them into their eyes. If they are upset or angry, give them a hug. No put downs ever allowed. If a man, praise her for her efforts in the kitchen. Tell her you missed her when you come home. Tell them they are the most important person in your world. A good night kiss never hurts. If their back is sore, a nice message puts a feature in your hat. If she asks you to vacuum the floor or take the garbage out; do it. If she talks and talks listen carefully because what she is saying is important to her. Never get mad when your spouse buys something. Respect their choice and they will respect yours.

The above worked for me. I always had the philosopy, "What is important to you is important to me." When I think about it my marriage was based on common sense and something called LOVE.
 
hahaha! My personal criteria for a "soul mate" would be IMPOSSIBLE for any earthly man to fill!
He would have to be an articulate Shakespearean poet who looks like Grizzly Adams and would have to be as WEIRD as I am!
And we would live "over the rainbow".
hahaha! He doesn't exist!

Oh! and The answer to your question: Yes, you are mistaken. IMO
 
The girl I married 53 years ago said she was a witch. We were driving along in the car at the time. "You can turn things into other things," I said, rather sceptically. "Oh that's easy," she replied, putting her hand on my thigh. I turned into a lay-by.
 
hahaha! My personal criteria for a "soul mate" would be IMPOSSIBLE for any earthly man to fill! He would have to be an articulate Shakespearean poet who looks like Grizzly Adams and would have to be as WEIRD as I am! And we would live "over the rainbow".hahaha! He doesn't exist!
Oh! and The answer to your question: Yes, you are mistaken. IMO
" I knew that", "I did, I knew that doncha know" :) ,...., of course I'm mistaken in asking the question in the thread title, (but somewhere, "deep down", that kind of foolishness does remain in my head I must admit!).
 
You may find joy in a person and she you but romance doesn't cure life's problems.

As for the quiz, I fall somewhere in the middle and the most successful marriages I've witnessed have components of attraction and work.
 
You may find joy in a person and she you but romance doesn't cure life's problems.
As for the quiz, I fall somewhere in the middle and the most successful marriages I've witnessed have components of attraction and work.
Glad you had a go at the quiz, and as someone else said earlier in the thread, "social science" has all kinds of aspects, (I've read there is something called a "Parental satisfaction index" would you believe?).
My aunt said you had to work at a marriage, and I won't argue, even though later in life one imagines there are very different challenges to face than when in the first flush of life, "falling in love" for the first time, ("whatever love is" to use Diana's phrase when getting engaged to Prince Charles! :) ).
 
As @helenbacque said, it is first finding happiness within yourself. I was 34 when I met my current partner of 30 years. I had been in several relationships at that point, one as long as 6 years, and had become completely disillusioned. I'll admit that one reason my relationships hadn't worked was because of my own insecurities.

I decided to work on my own happiness and was no longer interested in finding a partner. I was happy to be alone. That's when it happened. My personal feeling is that people who exude happiness and confidence within themselves attract others.
 


Back
Top