Observation of Power

For this observation of power in a relationship, I chose to observe my sister-suitemate and her boyfriend at dinner one night at O’Hill. At the table was my friend we can call “Jenn,” her boyfriend “Dan,” me, and three other mutual female friends from my suite. Her boyfriend and I actually attended the same high school. My friend has been dating Dan for five and a half months. They are literally inseparable and joined at the hip. Both are of Asian descent and are from upper middle class families. The null hypothesis of this relationship observation that is being is studied is that the couple observed is equal.

After getting our food, we go to find a table to sit at. My friend Jenn leads the group and picks out where we are going to sit. We all follow her and sit down—Dan sits to her right. She realizes that she forgot to get a drink so she tells him to get her one because she does not want to get up after waiting in line for food for so long. At first he said no, but Jenn put her head on his shoulder and looked up at him, batted her eyes and he eventually gave in and got up to get her something to drink. When he returned, she thanked him and called him “Pooky” which he did not seem to appreciate. While eating, he does not talk very much while she on the other hand pretty much carried on the entire conversation. When he started to talk, she commonly interrupted him and would finish his sentences. He would just nod along to what she said and add in occasional comments. There were a couple instances however where she would make a statement then look for him to make a response to back it up and support what she said. Jenn also reminded him several times of what he had left to do that night homework wise—he had to read and also complete a resume for a job fair coming up. Most of the time, he just stayed focus on his food though. In addition, throughout the meal, she would lean into him or grab his arm or even play with his hair. She was very touchy feely. He acted very laid back and essentially let her do whatever she wanted