RESEARCH_FILE
H. Colleen Sinclair
Mississippi State University
Known for:Large-scale replication testing whether social network disapproval really intensifies romantic love
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“My friends see something I don't”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“I have the footage. They have the interpretation. I'm not obligated to adopt theirs.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
Identify one thing your partner did this week that you genuinely appreciated or that felt considerate. Write the exact moment down. Ask yourself: did you need outside confirmation to see that clearly?
Key findings
- 2014
With Hood and Wright, directly re-ran Driscoll, Davis and Lipetz's 1972 analysis on a new sample and found no evidence for the predicted 'boomerang' effect; network disapproval instead predicted lower love, trust, and commitment. Revisiting the Romeo and Juliet Effect (Driscoll, Davis, & Lipetz, 1972): Reexamining the Links Between Social Network Opinions and Romantic Relationship Outcomes ↗
- 2014
Applied Driscoll and colleagues' original 1972 measurement approach to a modern sample to test replicability directly, rather than relying on newer methods — and still found the original 'boomerang' pattern did not reproduce. Revisiting the Romeo and Juliet Effect (Driscoll, Davis, & Lipetz, 1972): Reexamining the Links Between Social Network Opinions and Romantic Relationship Outcomes ↗