AI could put an end to a lover's quarrel
New technology could soon notify you whether your partner had a good day or if you will be walking into the eye of the storm when you get home.
A group of scientists have trained an algorithm to identify past conflict episodes among couples in order to determine when a lover’s quarrel may arise in the future.
Using physiological data and physiological signals from couples, the technology could automatically send notifications advising individuals to do a short meditation module to restore their mental state before interacting with their significant other.
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A group of scientists have trained an algorithm to identify past conflict episodes among couples in order to determine when a lover’s quarrel may arise. The algorithm was been able to detect previous conflict episodes with 86 percent accuracy
HOW DOES IT WORK? The algorithm gathered physiological data from various sources including wearables, mobile phones, and physiological signals (or bio-signals) to assess couples' emotional states. Data collected included body temperature heart activity, sweat, audio recordings, assessment of language content and vocal intensity. The team discovered, that using this kind of data, the algorithm has been able to detect conflict episodes with 68 percent accuracy - based on participants' hourly self-reports of when conflict occurred.
Researchers from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC Dornsife College of Arts, Letters and Sciences believe technology might be employed to help de-escalate any potential conflicts among couples.
In a collaboration between the Signal Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory (SAIL) in the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering and the Family Studies Project in the Psychology Department at USC Dornsife, researchers employed multi-modal ambulatory measures to develop a system in order to detect if conflict had occurred between a couple—a sort of seismometer of the shakes, rattles and rolls in a relationship.
In order to detect intra-couple conflict, the researchers developed algorithms to assess whether conflict was present among couples.
The technology gathered physiological data from various sources including wearables, mobile phones and physiological signals to assess couples' emotional states.
The vitals that were taken included body temperature heart activity, sweat, audio recordings, assessment of language content and vocal intensity.
The team discovered that by combining all of the data, the algorithm was been able to detect previous conflict episodes with 86 percent accuracy - based on participants' hourly self-reports of when conflict occurred.
Using physiological data and physiological signals from couples, the technology could automatically send notifications advising individuals to do a short meditation module to restore their mental state before interacting with their significant other
ARGUING CAN BE HEALTHY A new survey is sure to confirm just what many a married couple have long suspected. Arguing once a week can be the secret to strong, happy unions - provided the arguing isn't of the abusive variety. Conducted in India, the study of married couples found that 44 per cent of pairs believe that fighting 'helps keep the lines of communication open', according to htmedia.com. While some fighting can be constructive and beneficial, not all arguing is the same - destructive, abusive and bitter rows are certainly not the stuff of healthy relationships. Other experts see arguments as the best way to deal with issues rather than hiding them and developing resentment. Bernie Slutsky, a marriage counselor in St Louis Park, Minnesota, told the newspaper: 'At least they're trying to reach the other person. Sometimes it's a case of, "You're not listening to me so I'm going to tell you louder," and we have to tone that down. 'But it's still better than if they just sit there and stonewall each other. That's a lot more destructive.' He says that fighting in front of children can even be a good thing - provided the irritation is dealt with respectfully and couples are able to show kids that they have moved on quickly and positively.
Researchers believe it is the first instance in which passive modal computing is being collected and employed to detect conflict behavior in daily life.
The authors said that the next step in the research is using such unobtrusive, passive technologies to anticipate conflict—perhaps five minutes before it might occur, by letting computer software determine the likelihood that conflict will occur.
The other part of anticipating conflict is developing early interventions—possible real-time interventions or behavioral prompts such as text notifications of a partner's psychological state or to guide an individual to meditate before bringing that conflict home.