11. Relationships Flashcards
Define proximity
the physical distance to others
What does repeated exposure lead to?
Increased liking
positive affect
Explain the relationship between proximity, repeated exposure and positive affect.
Proximity leads to repeated exposure which leads to positive affect.
Describe a study designed to investigate what role Repeated Exposure has on the type of affect.
MORELAND & BEACH
- four female research assistants pretended to be students
- they participate in class, but without interacting
- 0 times, 5 times, 10 times, 15 times
RESULTS:
- the more times the girls attended the class, the MORE she was liked
Reproductive differences between men and women
- paternity uncertainty
- minimum obligatory parental investment
—> women value men with resources
—> men value women with high reproductive value
The Mere Exposure Effect
— simply being exposed frequently to a person or object tends to increase our liking for that object
Becoming close acquaintances depends on…
- extent to which a person has a need for affiliation
- way each person reacts to the observable characteristics of the other
Cause for differences in the need for affiliation?
Individual differences
people high in need:
- spend less time alone
- avoid making negative comments to fellow workers
Situational determinants
- stressful situations
- anxiety levels
Influence of physical characteristics on attraction
— physical attractiveness
— body type
— first names (unpopular vs. popular)
— observable traits e.g. glasses, beard
The attractiveness stereotype
— the tendency to believe that physically attractive people are more likely to be - kind - strong - modest - sociable - exciting - poised (better character)
“Good People are given good looks” - Dion & Dion
Some negative aspects of the attractiveness stereotype
Attractive people are also judged to be
- more materialistic
- less likely to remain faithful in marriage
- more egotistical
How do stereotypes often reflect a self-fulfilling prophecy?
They tend to be correct for the social component.
The Matching Hypothesis
The phenomenon that pairs tend to be matched in physical attractiveness
CAUSES?
- Equity theory
- Selective mortality
Becoming friends involves…
SIMILARITY
MUTUAL LIKING
- we seek out situations in which we are likely to meet people similar to us
- similarity implies self-validation
- similarity suggests similar upbringings, backgrounds and expectations for relationships
Reproductive biology: alternative views
- gender differences are status differences
(Women often have less power & wealth) - men may have been taught by society to value attractiveness
Relationships: name the three theories.
Social Exchange Theory
Equity Theory
Investment Model
Social exchange theory
- Evaluation of rewards and costs
- comparison to the changes of having a better relationship with someone else
Equity theory
- contributions from both parties should be roughly equal for a successful relationship
- even distribution of costs and rewards
Investment model
The phenomenon that people often do not leave their partners even when they are dissatisfaction or alternatives look bright.
INVESTMENTS: anything people have put into a relationship that will be lost if they leave it
What are the two types of relationship?
Exchange relationship (casual) Communal relationship (closer, longer-term)
Define exchange relationships.
Relationships governed by the need for equity
An equal ratio of rewards and costs
Define communal relationships
Relationships governed by the primary concern of being responsive to each other’s needs
Attachment styles
People’s expectation about relationships is based on the relationship they had with their primary caregiver when they were infants
Name the two types of love
Companionate love
- an affection that we feel when we care deeply for a person
- no passion/arousal
Passionate Love
- an intense longing for a person, accompanied by physiological arousal
- reciprocation = fulfillment and ecstasy
Intimacy + passion
Romantic love
Intimacy + commitment
Companionate love
Passion + commitment
Foolish love
Intimacy + passion + commitment
Complete love
