Re: [UUPoly-L] Poly Study - New Link

["Polyamory Study" <polyamorystudy@gmail.com>]

Hello Roza,



Basically, the reason we are doing this study is because, as a field
(psychology), we have developed ideas about how relationships work that are
based almost entirely on heterosexual, monogamous couples (often married).
We are interested in whether these ideas about how relationships work really
generalize to the entire population or whether they are specific to the
monogamous couples who have been the participants in most studies and other
relationships work differently. Prior research in this area has examined
same-sex couples and expanded our understanding beyond heterosexual married
couples, but still most of the research out there is based on monogamous
relationships.



In terms of who we are and my personal views, I am a graduate student in
psychology at the University of Utah and my advisor is Dr. Lisa Diamond.
Much of her work has focused on sexual-minority (LGBT) individuals,
including development of sexual orientation and gender identity as well as
same-sex relationships and my work thus far has been in those same areas.
As a sexual minority myself, I believe that all relationships between
consenting adults are important and valid and that the field of psychology
should not focus only on the subset of relationships that receive the
greatest social and legal validation, but should include the broad range of
romantic relationships people form, including same-sex relationships and
polyamorous relationships.  This project is my first study on polyamory and
I have not yet published anything on polyamory.  The project is my master's
thesis and my goal is to publish the results in a peer-reviewed psychology
journal.



Thanks again for your interest.

Molly

On Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 10:12 PM, Roza <alliumphobia@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I am also interested in how this information is going to be used.  Ms.
> Butterworth, I have read the study description, but I am not sure what your
> goals are, nor am I sure what your starting assumptions or hypotheses are.
> Could you please enlighten us?  I am generally in favor of a study of
> polyamory, but I would like to know more about why this research is being
> conducted.  "in order to improve our understanding of close relationships"
> is a little vague, and while the second page is more informative, I still
> want to know more.  For instance, and pardon me if I seem rude, what are
> your personal views of polyamory?  Your views, and the views of anyone
> helping you interpert these surveys, can have profound effects on the
> results reported in your work, even if you try to take a completely unbiased
> perspective.  For that matter, would we be able to see the final result or
> the paper that comes from these surveys?  I look forward to your response,
> and hope you have an interesting and broad sample for your survey.
> Roza
>
> Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a
> significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced.
>
>
> > I haven't decided if I want to particpate in this study or not.  I am
> curious as to how the information is going to be used.  Does anyone know
> more about this?
>
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