Abstract
The Marital Communication Rating Schedule (MCRaS) is presented as an observationally based clinical rating system for assessing verbal behavior in marital communication. Data from 35 response display discussions lasting from 20 to 30 min each, which took place between 11 married couples, were used to examine aspects of the reliability and validity of the instrument. Three raters made independent ratings of 37 MCRaS categories for each husband and wife for each discussion period. Reliability among the raters was shown to be high when calculated within one scale point. Concurrent validity was assessed by comparing MCRaS ratings for four categories with observationally based validation criteria independently coded and measured. Results indicated that for three categories — negative statements, overgeneralizations, and amount of talk — ratings produced results that were similar to those yielded by laborious coding of audiotapes. For one category, opinions requested, a relationship between the ratings and coded data was not found. The validation results were discussed in terms of possible differences in the basis of ratings for the categories subjected to validation. Although further research is needed, it was concluded that MCRaS has many of the desirable qualities needed in a clinically useful, observationally based rating system.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Birchler, G. R. Communication skills for married couples. In Bellack, A. S., & Hersen, R. M. (Eds.),Research and practice in social skills training. New York: Plenum, 1979.
Carter, R. D., & Thomas, E. J. A case application of a signaling system (SAM) to the assessment and modification of selected problems of marital communication.Behavior Therapy 1973,4 629–645.
Eisler, R. M., Hersen, M., & Agras, W. S. Audiotape: a method for the controlled observation of nonverbal interpersonal behavior.Behavior Therapy 1973,4 420–425.
Gottman, J., Notarius, C., Gonso, J., & Markman, H.A couple's guide to communication. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1976.
Hops, H., Wills, T. A., Patterson, G. R., & Weiss, R. L. Marital interaction coding system. Unpublished manuscript, University of Oregon and Oregon Research Institute, 1972.
Jacobson, N. S., Elwood, R., & Dallas, M. The behavioral assessment of marital dysfunction. In Barlow, D. H. (Ed.),Behavioral assessment of adult disorders. New York: Guilford Press, 1981.
Jacobson, N. S., & Margolin, G.Marital therapy: strategies based in social learning and behavior exchange principles. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1979.
Jacobson, N. S., & Martin, B. Behavioral marriage therapy: current status.Psychological Bulletin 1976,83 540–577.
O'Flaherty, K. W. Evaluation of a coaching procedure for marital decision making. Unpublished dissertation, University of Michigan, 1974.
Olson, D. H., & Straus, M. A. A diagnostic tool for marital and family therapy: the SIMFAM technique.Family Coordinator 1972,21(3), 251–258.
Strodbeck, F. L. Husband-wife interaction over revealed differences.American Sociological Review 1951,16 468–473.
Thomas, E. J., Walter, C. L., & O'Flaherty, K. A verbal problem checklist for use in assessing family verbal behavior.Behavior Therapy 1974,5 235–246.
Thomas, E. J., O'Flaherty, K., & Borkin, J. Coaching marital partners in family decision making. In Krumboltz, J. D., & Thoresen, C. W. (Eds.),Counseling methods. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976.
Thomas, E. J.Marital communication and decision making. New York: The Free Press, 1977.
Weiss, R. L., & Bichler, G. R. Adults with marital dysfunction. In Hersen, M., & Bellack, A. S. (Eds.),Behavior therapy in the psychiatric setting. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1978.
Weiss, R. L., & Margolin, G. Marital conflict and accord. In Ciminero, A. R., Calhoun, K. S., & Adams, H. E. (Eds.),Handbook of behavioral assessment. New York: Wiley, 1977.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was conducted in connection with the Sociobehavioral Research Project at The University of Michigan when Joyce Borkin and Claude L. Walter were affiliated with the project.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Borkin, J., Thomas, E.J. & Walter, C.L. The Marital Communication Rating Schedule: An instrument for clinical assessment. Journal of Behavioral Assessment 2, 287–307 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666787
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666787