Wife Studies Why Husband Ignores Nagging

Science Daily ^ | 2-13-2007

[blam]

Wife studies why husband ignores nagging

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A U.S. researcher says some people just can't help ignoring their nagging spouses.

The research, which appears online in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, found that people do not necessarily oppose others' wishes intentionally.

Duke University researchers found that "some people will act in ways that are not to their own benefit simply because they wish to avoid doing what other people want them" to do.

Psychologists describe the behavior at "reactance" -- a person's tendency to resist social influences that they perceive as threats to their autonomy.

Tanya L. Chartrand, an associate professor of marketing and psychology at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, said even "the slightest non-conscious exposure to the name of a significant person in their life is enough to bring about reactance and cause them to rebel against that person's wishes."

Chartrand said she undertook the research as a way to understand why her husband often seemed to ignore her requests for help around the house.

"My husband, while very charming in many ways, has an annoying tendency of doing exactly the opposite of what I would like him to do in many situations," Chartrand said in a release.

[andy58-in-nh]

Well, I've been married for more than 17 years, and my repertoire of BS could fertilize the Nile Delta.

[Killborn]

Heh he. :)

I wish I have a girl to nag me. All I got is my mom and aunt. :P

[freedomfiter2]

I've already cleaned the gutters and done the house work. I don't have a wife.


It doesn't count unless someone is standing there, telling you how to do it as well. Double credit if that person has never actually done it themself.

[absolootezer0]

try asking nicely, and make sure you're doing something too.
if my wife is doing something and asks me to do something, i'll get on it. if she tells me to do it, i'll wait until she can ask nicely. if she's watching tv or sitting on the computer, she can do it herself.

[Sax]

Or of course there's always a tool, part, or chemical that needs to be purchased for the job, which requires a long and windy trip to the mega-hardware store (resulting in a path that resembles one of Billy's wanderings in the Family Circus)

[Killborn]

That makes a lot of sense. Cool! I knew there's some prehistoric root to this!

[paulat]

I've already cleaned the gutters and done the house work. I don't have a wife.

I didn't even hear the article....

[ladyjane]

Maybe you're just a jerk, Ms. Chartrand, and hubby has found a passive-aggressive way to get your goat.

Then they both lose.

Why would anyone want to do something to hurt their spouse? It doesn't make sense.

[dfwgator]

The key is to always do a bad job, so they don't bother asking you to do it anymore.

[No Blue States]

I felt the same way when I didnt, thanks for the reminder. ;)

[mdmathis6]

"If the dress or whatever does make her look fatter, then I ALWAYS say it does.
"

And you've managed to stay alive(and still married)?

[AngryJawa]

Easy. It's either ignore the nagging, move out, or face an inquest for her mysterious disappearance.

Let's not forget the other options:

(A) Climb a belltower with a high powered rifle

(B) Have a catastrophic cardiac event before age 40

(C) Go gay

(D) Go deaf

[metesky]

Did you say something?

;O)

[ModelBreaker]

So --- Just ask him to do exactly opposite of what you really want.

"Honey, whatever you do, don't clean out the garage, please. I beg you."

Wouldn't work in my house. :)

[N. Theknow]

What a strange thread.

I clicked on it and can't read a thing that is written.

All I get is a sound like Charlie Brown's teacher.

[Types_with_Fist]

Ooooh. You're good...:-)

[gogeo]

"My husband, while very charming in many ways, has an annoying tendency of doing exactly the opposite of what I would like him to do in many situations," Chartrand said in a release...

Control issues ping!!!

[steve-b]

[Killborn]

No prob. For all the problems girls can be, we can't really live without them.

LOL! Weird cartoon.

[fireforeffect]

Not married.

Well armed.

Remember, I said if it does "make her look FATTER" I always tell her so (i.e.: I say yes, never use fatter, not stupid). If it does not, I say it does not make her look FATTER (i.e.: I say no). Of course I have never been asked nor have I volunteered the answer to "Does it make me look thiner".

NOTE: I am not attracted to women who do NOT look like 14 year olds. A woman has a figure. Not too much of one though.