Naomi Quinn (in Ryan and Bernard, 2003) has analyzed hundreds of hours of interviews to discover concepts underlying American marriage and to show how these concepts are tied together. She began by looking at patterns of speech and at the repetition of key words and phrases, paying particular attention to informants' use of metaphors and the commonalities in their reasoning about marriage. Nan, one of her informants, says that "marriage is a manufactured product." This popular metaphor indicates that Nan sees marriages as something that has properties, like strength and staying power, and as something that requires work to produce. Some marriages are "put together well," while others "fall apart" like so many cars or toys or washing machines.

Who is the lesser evil for you?

What individuals’ preferences concerning personal space suggest about their relationships

James Springer and his identical twin James Lewis were separated at birth.  They were raised in different homes.  They did not meet again until they were 39.  When they met, they found out the following:  Springer’s first wife was named Linda and his second wife, Betty.  Lewis has also had a wife named Betty and one named Linda.  Each had a son named James Allen.  Each had owned a dog named Toy.  Their favorite subject in high school had been math.  They had both studied law enforcement after high school.  They had the same hobbies and the same favorite vacation place.  They even liked the same brand of cookies.

(adapted from

What conclusion can you draw about the two men in the article?

Would you like to continue that kind of relationship?

Interview Segment 

Q: What are your views on homelessness? 

A: Well, I think it’s a terrible thing that in a modern society we have a problem such as this. I don’t know though what we can do about it. I want to do something but I don’t know what. You are constantly reminded of the problem if you go to town. They are always there asking for money. You don’t know though if they really need it or if they are in fact doing quite well from begging. But if you have any caring qualities you can’t ignore requests for help, when you have so much for yourself.

They say a lot of people choose to live on the streets – well I don’t believe that. I think that is an easy thing for the authorities to say – it lets them off the hook. So really I guess the answer to your questions is that I am not sure what to think about homelessness. I feel that something should be done but I feel powerless to do anything personally. I think that the time has come for the government to do something. It makes me feel uncomfortable; I don’t know what to do. 

Source: Grbich (2013) 

Homelessness is hopeless to be solved.