Ideal Partner And Relationship Scales

Ideal Partner and Ideal Relationship Scales

The scale below is the short forms of the Ideal Partner and Ideal Relationship Scales (see the appendix of Fletcher et al., 1999, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology). The subheadings below for each category should be deleted before the scales are given to participants. The items within each category are summed to produce subscale scores.

For additional information, see:

Fletcher, G., Simpson, J., & Thomas, G. (1999). Ideals in close relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 72-89. Fletcher, G. J. O., & Simpson, J. (2000). Ideal standards in close relationships. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 3, 102-105. Simpson, J., Fletcher, G. J. O., and Campbell, L. (2001). The structure and function of ideal standards in close relationships. In G. J. O. Fletcher, & M. S. Clark (Eds.). Blackwell Handbook of Social Psychology: Interpersonal processes (pp. 86-106). London: Blackwell. Rate each item below in terms of the importance it has in describing your IDEAL PARTNER in a close relationship (dating, living together, or married). Circle ONE number for each scale.

Partner Vitality/Attractiveness

Sexy Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Nice body Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Attractive appearance Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Good lover Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Outgoing Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Adventurous Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Partner Warmth/Trustworthiness

Kind Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Supportive Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Understanding Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Considerate Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Sensitive Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

A good listener Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Partner Status/Resources

Successful Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Nice house Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important or apartment

Financially secure Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Dresses well Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Good job Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Appropriate ethnicity Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important Rate each item below in terms of the importance it has in We have used the short forms of these scales, and they work well, with good reliability and predictive validity. describing your IDEAL CLOSE RELATIONSHIP (dating, living together, or married). Circle ONE number in each scale.

Relationship Passion

Exciting Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Challenging Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Humorous Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Fun Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Independence Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Passionate Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Relationship Intimacy/Loyalty

Honest Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Commitment Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Caring Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Trusting Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Support Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important

Respect Very unimportant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Very important