SCIENTISTS CAN PREDICT HAPPY MARRIAGES

There's now a formula that quite accurately predicts the outcome of a marriage. Scientists at the University of Washington, who studied over 700 couples over a 10 year period, were able to predict with a 95 percent accuracy which marriages would last. Their sole predictive tool was observations taken of the couple during the 15-minute interview.

Their formula, presented recently at the Mathematical Biology Conference at Dundee University in Scotland, takes into account good signs and bad signs displayed by the newlywed couple as they discussed potential sources of marital friction. Good signs were displays of humor, positive vocal tone, smiles, and affectionate gestures. Bad signs were rolling of the eyes, criticism, or mockery of one's partner, as well as displays of coldness and negativity.