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
