Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Post-Movie Subliminal Measurement (PMSM), for Investigating Implicit Social Bias
Published on: February 29, 2020
Fusion or internalized homophobia? A pilot study of Bowen's differentiation of self hypothesis with lesbian couples
Bernadette Spencer1, Jac Brown
1Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract:
Bowen, using the concept of differentiation, hypothesized that the way individuals learn to deal with their relationships with families of origin will influence the way they manage their relationships with their partners. This study surveyed a group of 53 lesbian couples on differentiation of self, internalized homophobia, and relationship satisfaction. We found that lesbian couples were not significantly different in their level of differentiation than random pairs. We also found that there was a positive relationship between differentiation of self and relationship satisfaction and that when considered together, internalized homophobia had the more significant connection to relationship satisfaction than did differentiation of self Implications for therapy are drawn from these findings.
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Couples Therapy
Core Principles and Techniques
Couples therapy often incorporates cognitive-behavioral principles to identify and modify negative...
Relationship Formation
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

