Because the dimension scores within the two tasks were
correlated, composite scores were used to reduce the number
of variables to a few positive and negative behavior
variables at both the individual level and the dyadic level in
each task. Other studies conducted with the IDCS have
relied on the composite score method and found good
internal consistencies and convergent validity of the composite
scores (for a review, see Kline et al., in press).
Because partners’ individual behaviors were correlated,
partners within couples were randomly assigned to two
groups.