Every rule has research behind it.
SomosPoints's core rules rest on published couples-psychology research. The pilot will test whether the effect holds up in a game format.
New activities are worth more (×1.5 multiplier)
Arthur Aron et al. (2000), Journal of Personality and Social Psychology — self-expansion model
- What the research found
- Couples who did novel, exciting activities together reported less boredom and more closeness and satisfaction than couples doing routine activities.
- How SomosPoints applies it
- The first time a couple does a type of activity earns more XP.
Freedom Vouchers and support for solo time
Fivecoat, Tomlinson, Aron and Caprariello (2014), Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
- What the research found
- In couples together 14 to 60 months, active partner support for an individual opportunity raised satisfaction more than passive support.
- How SomosPoints applies it
- Going out alone never costs points. What counts is agreeing and following through.
Gestures confirmed by the partner
John Gottman, Gottman Institute — bids for connection and the “emotional bank account”
- What the research found
- Newlyweds still together six years later had responded to each other's bids 86% of the time; those who divorced, 33%.
- How SomosPoints applies it
- Confirming a gesture is answering a bid for connection: each confirmation is a deposit.
Reactions and a gratitude mission
Sara Algoe (UNC) — find-remind-bind theory
- What the research found
- Expressing gratitude reminds the other they are a good partner and brings the couple closer, with a stronger effect when the praise names the specific action.
- How SomosPoints applies it
- When confirming, the app asks for a reaction and a short note about what touched them.
Check-in starts with the “best moment of the week”
Shelly Gable et al. (2004) — capitalization on good news
- What the research found
- When a partner responds enthusiastically to good news, the relationship is rated higher in quality.
- How SomosPoints applies it
- The weekly check-in starts with the positive and suggests enthusiastic replies.
Cooperative score, no negatives, no debts
Margaret Clark and Judson Mills (Yale) — communal vs. exchange relationships
- What the research found
- Close relationships run on caring for the other's needs, not on bookkeeping. Exchange rules show up when trust is low.
- How SomosPoints applies it
- No ranking between partners, no negative points, no “who owes whom”.
Measuring the effect in the pilot
Janette Funk and Ronald Rogge (2007) — Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI)
- What the research found
- The CSI was developed with 5,315 participants and measures satisfaction more precisely than older scales. A short 4-item version exists.
- How SomosPoints applies it
- A questionnaire at the start and end of the pilot, as a safeguard metric.
Limits
Most studies were done with US couples and measure short-term effects. None tested a points system like SomosPoints's. That is why relationship satisfaction is a required metric in the pilot.