THE SECRET OF BLISS

Scientists devise formula for happy marriage: Equation predicts bliss (Chris Lackner, 8/09/03, National Post)

The secret to a successful marriage can be found in a mathematical formula, according to American researchers, who believe they can use equations to predict a newlywed couple's chances for marital bliss.

Researchers at the University of Washington have devised two formulas that they say allows them to predict, with a 94% success rate, whether a new marriage will last. And all it takes is a 15-minute interview.

The formulas used to detect newlywed joy or disaster were publicly presented for the first time this week by mathematician Dr. James Murray, who spoke at the Mathematical Biology Conference at Dundee University in Scotland. [...]

Participants were asked to discuss contentious marital issues, such as money, sex or children. The couple's ability to discuss the issue was evaluated according to a mathematical scale that awarded positive points for good signals and negative points for bad signals.

Bad signals included rolling of the eyes, criticism or mockery of one's partner, as well as displays of coldness and negativity. Positive signs included displays of humour, positive vocal tone, smiles and affectionate gestures. [...]

The results of the observations were used to develop an equation for both husbands and wives and each couple was contacted every two years to ascertain the state of their marriage. Researchers say they were able to predict the success or failure of each couple with an accuracy of almost 94%. [...]

Our society is marriage-obsessed and naturally inclined to believe in marital perfection, said Julie Rak, an English professor and popular culture expert at the University of Alberta.

Ms. Rak said people often make decisions in their lives according to a formula our culture dictates, including when to get married, when to have kids and custom-based beliefs such monogamy and the search for one ideal partner.

"We learn from a very early age that there there is only one person in the world for us, which is mathematically ridiculous," Ms. Rak said.

The formulas--included at the end of the article--are way over my head, but prior studies of successful marriage have boiled it down to one overwhelming factor: the capacity and willingness of the husband to concede to his wife. The happy thing about such studies is they accord far better with our intuition than do feminist doctrines. Feminists would have us believe that women were relentlessly oppressed by men for millennia and led desperately unhappy lives as a result. Instead it would seem that--at least in the West--women are able to exercise great power over their husbands....oops, gotta go, the bathrooms need cleaning.... Posted by Orrin Judd at August 9, 2003 9:57 AM