Take this essay:

The research question for this project is, "What can we learn about marriage from studying interpersonal communication?" For this project, two couples were interviewed to examine the communication theories in relation to the couples' marriages. The couples were chosen based on their willingness to participate and their length of marriage. The interviews were open-ended to allow the couples to express themselves freely. The purpose of the project was to explore the interpersonal communication within marriages and to identify any themes that emerged.
For the purpose of this study, the communication theory of Proxemics will be used to examine marriage through three major themes: Need to Belong, Self-Disclosure, and attraction theory. The theory of Proxemics asserts that physical space and distance between individuals can impact communication patterns and levels of intimacy in relationships. This study aims to understand how the themes of Need to Belong, Self-Disclosure, and attraction theory influence the maintenance of a healthy and happy marriage, and how the theory of Proxemics can help us better understand these patterns. By analyzing interviews with two different couples, we hope to provide insight into the importance of these themes in marital communication and the ways in which they can be applied to improve our own relationships.
Social exchange theory is a communication theory that examines the relationships between individuals and the resources that they exchange with one another. It posits that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of every interaction they have with others and make decisions based on their perception of the exchange's value. In the context of marriage, the social exchange theory suggests that individuals weigh the benefits and costs of their relationship with their spouse and make decisions about whether to continue the relationship.
Self-disclosure is the act of sharing personal information with others, and it is a critical aspect of interpersonal communication that builds trust and intimacy in relationships. For this study, we identified self-disclosure as a major theme in the marriages of the couples we interviewed. We defined self-disclosure as the sharing of personal information with one's partner, including thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
This theme emerged in our study through the responses of both couples, who reported regularly engaging in self-disclosure with their partners. For example, one husband said, "I feel like we can talk about anything, even the tough stuff," while his wife added, "Yeah, we're really open with each other." The couples' responses demonstrate the importance of self-disclosure in building and maintaining strong marriages, which is consistent with what we learned in class about the role of communication in relationships. Our readings and videos have emphasized the value of self-disclosure for creating intimacy and trust between partners, and the couples' answers provide real-life examples of this principle in action.
While both couples reported engaging in self-disclosure, there were some differences in the degree to which they did so. For example, one couple reported sharing personal information on a daily basis, while the other couple said they shared personal information less frequently, but still felt comfortable doing so. These differences highlight the unique communication styles and needs of each couple, and suggest that self-disclosure is not a one-size-fits-all approach to communication in marriage.
The theory of social penetration provides a useful framework for understanding the importance of self-disclosure in marriage. According to this theory, self-disclosure is a gradual process that involves revealing deeper and more personal information as trust and intimacy grow. The couples' responses indicate that they have built trust and intimacy with their partners over time through regular self-disclosure, which is likely to have strengthened their marriages.
The need to belong is a fundamental human need to form social connections with others. In this study, we identified it as a significant theme that emerged from the interviews with the couples. We define it as the desire to feel connected and to establish relationships with others. How did this theme emerge in your study: Both couples reported that feeling connected to their partner was essential to their marriage's success. For example, Couple A stated, "We make time for each other, and we try to do things together. We feel connected because we share our lives." Meanwhile, Couple B mentioned, "We always try to communicate and be there for each other. That's what keeps us going."
This theme is consistent with the concept of social connection and interpersonal communication covered in the course material. The need to belong is fundamental to Maslow's hierarchy of needs and is also discussed in various readings and videos related to forming relationships and building intimacy. There were no outliers in this theme, as both couples emphasized the importance of feeling connected to their partners. The theory of attachment suggests that individuals have a natural tendency to seek close and secure relationships with others, which supports the idea that the need to belong is important for building and maintaining strong marriages. Couples who prioritize this need are likely to experience greater relationship satisfaction and fulfillment.
Attraction theory examines how individuals are attracted to others. We identified it as a significant theme in this study, particularly in the initial stages of a relationship. We define it as the physical and psychological factors that draw individuals to one another.
Both couples reported being initially attracted to their partners' physical appearance and personality traits. For example, Couple A stated, "I was drawn to his sense of humor and his confidence. And of course, he was easy on the eyes." Meanwhile, Couple B mentioned, "I was attracted to her kindness and intelligence. Plus, she has a great smile." How their answers demonstrate content covered this semester: 
This also covers the role of physical attraction and personality traits in forming relationships. There were no outliers in this theme, as both couples reported being initially attracted to their partners' physical appearance and personality traits. The theory of social exchange suggests that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of every interaction they have with others, including the costs and benefits of being in a relationship. Couples who are attracted to each other are likely to perceive more benefits in their relationship, such as happiness and satisfaction.
In conclusion, this study has shed light on various aspects of interpersonal communication within marriages. Through the analysis of transcripts from interviews with multiple couples, several major themes emerged that were related to communication theories studied in class. These themes included the importance of self-disclosure, the role of uncertainty reduction, and the impact of predicted outcome value on relationship satisfaction. Additionally, the transcripts revealed both positive and negative behaviors that contribute to happy and healthy relationships, as well as unhealthy behaviors and language that can be detrimental. While this study has provided valuable insights, there are also limitations, such as the sample size and the lack of diversity in couple types. Nevertheless, the information gained can be useful for individuals seeking to improve or maintain their own relationships. By understanding the importance of communication and the various factors that influence it, individuals can work towards building stronger and more fulfilling connections with their partners.