HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 9, 2012 – Dr. Sadie Leder, assistant professor of psychology and assistant director of the HPU Poll, was named a staff writer for the online magazine “Science of Relationships.” This publication examines romantic relationships from a psychological perspective, aiming to deliver scientific findings on relationship research in a creative and accessible manner.Particularly this time of year Dr. Leder’s expertise is in high demand, as local media look for insight on the Valentine’s Day holiday and why some close relationships flourish while others fail.Q: How did you become interested in the study of close relationships?A: I guess I have always been fascinated by the study of relationships, however it was during my junior year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when I began working with Dr. Caryl Rusbult, a social psychologist, that I discovered this passion could actually translate into a career path. I began working with her as a research assistant examining trust within the context of married couples.Q: From there, how did you become a “relationship expert?”A: After finishing my undergraduate degree in psychology from UNC-CH, I earned a masters degree from Wake Forest University, and then a Ph.D. in social/personality psychology from the University at Buffalo. At each institution I worked with outstanding mentors conducting research and publishing our findings on different aspects of romantic life, including love, intimacy, and partner selection. Now at HPU, I continue to teach classes on romantic relationships and conduct research that is regularly presented at national conferences and featured in peer-review publications.Q: How do you involve HPU students in relationship research?A: I love that I have the opportunity to share my passion and research with my students. Both in the classroom, through courses like Close Relationships and a first year seminar called, Love and Hate in Cyberspace, and in independent study, as research assistants, I immerse students in relationship research. We often start by identifying their interests and then work to transition that into a testable hypothesis and workable study.Q: You mentioned your first year seminar, tell us a little about that.A: Love and Hate in Cyberspace is an interesting and in-depth look at how the landscape of romantic relationships has been shaped by technology. Texting, skyping, facebook, twitter, and online dating are all technological marvels that have significantly influenced a number of relationship dynamics, including the way we meet partners, communicate with each other, and experience stressors like jealousy and rejection. All of these topics are explored in our FYS from a psychological perspective. I think what I like most about this course is the idea that the theories and literature that I introduce in class help my students to avoid common pitfalls and have more successful and satisfying relationships though out college and life.Q: How do your students benefit from your role as a writer for “Science of Relationships?”A: Unfortunately, students don’t always know where to turn when they have relationship questions or problems, and much of what is available online comes from non-scientific sources. I think that Science of Relationships is a wonderful way for students to get credible and relatable information. Whenever possible, I reference articles from the site in class and refer students to it for personal use. Additionally, this site serves as a great introduction to peer-reviewed journal articles. At first, students may find searching for and reading through empirical work a challenge. I use the magazine to help streamline the process, as it provides abstracts and references for recent developments in the literature in a manner that incorporates pop-culture and other student-friendly information.Q: How have you been able to utilize your role as assistant director of the HPU Poll to further your relationship research?A: Each semester I include questions on the HPU Poll examining the relationship habits and romantic practices of the residents of the state of North Carolina. We’ve gotten some interesting findings on a number of topics. For instance, last spring we found that only 10% of NC residents reported using an online dating site. Instead, they met their current (or most recent partner) in more traditional ways, including through friends, at work, or as the result of an unplanned encounter in a public place. In the most recent HPU Poll, we asked questions about people’s feelings toward Valentine’s Day. We found that a great majority of NC residents reported believing in “true love” and that generally, they felt that the gift-giving aspect of Valentine’s Day was a positive part of the holiday.Q: This time of year, Valentine’s Day is on everyone’s mind. What are your thoughts on the holiday?A: Personally, I get excited about any opportunity to celebrate love. However, I can see how the holiday can be quite stressful, as Valentine’s Day has a way of creating an expectation that your affection has to be demonstrated on a specific day or in a specific way. Unfortunately, research has documented that a number of relationships, particularly with college-aged individuals, actually break-up as a result of the holiday. I encourage people to celebrate their union year-round. I’d like to see people take the focus off of how any one particular day turns out and instead remember to take time in their busy lives to prioritize their relationship and appreciate their partner in any way that feels appropriate to them.Q: If you could give one piece of relationship advice to your students, what would it be?A: I’d tell them to look to their parents as relationship role-models. Being in a relationship and sharing your life with a partner is not always easy. It takes a great deal of compromise and often putting your partner’s or your relationship’s needs over your own. Relationships are like anything else worth having…they take hard work, but in the end they can be one of life’s most worthwhile and meaningful accomplishments!At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.℠ HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. HPU was selected in the 2010-2011 list of “Colleges of Distinction,” as well as one of the top green schools in the country by the Sierra Club. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and 10 graduate degree programs. It is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.# # # Pam Haynes
Communication Specialist
336-841-9055
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