9. Friendship and Love Flashcards
How does the social penetration theory explain how and why we develop friendships?
- role of self disclosure in developing and maintaining friendships
- voluntarily sharing personal information about oneself to another person
- self disclosure has 2 elements: breadth and depth
- social penetration is the process by which one peels back the layers of personal information
- norm of reciprocity: expectation for both parties to share information at the same depth
What are the stages of social penetration?
- orientation : give superficial information and cautious
- exploratory affective exchange: less cautious
- affective exchange: give some private/intimate
- stable exchange: most intimate
How does disclosure play a role in developing friendships?
- if self-disclosure is too much or too quick, then the recipient may feel threatened
- it should be properly placed and matched to the others level of self disclosure
What is depenetration?
- a person emotionally withdraws from a relationship by reducing the quantity and intimacy of the information they disclose
What are the limitations of the social penetration theory?
- limited scope: does not apply in relationships such as coworkers, neighbours etc
- disclosure can be non linear
- individual differences in disclosure preferences are not considered
- cultural differences are not considered
How is self disclosure in terms of social media?
- has enabled self disclosure to be more accessible and visible
- however can be surface level
What is the social exchange framework?
- the role of costs and rewards in the development of personal relationships
- costs increase if superficial self disclosure makes up a large proportion of disclosure
How can gender differences in friendships be explained?
- evolutionary accounts: arise from differences between men and women in benefits obtained by friendship with individuals with particular traits
- cultural accounts: social role theory in which gender roles are produced and reinforced through social interaction
What has been found about males same gender friendships?
- greater value placed on instrumental or agentic characteristics
- higher risk of lower quality friendships: surface level and less expectation
- increased homophobia
What has been found about females same gender friendships?
- higher intimacy: communion and self disclosure
- greater effort and expectation
- increased risk of co-rumination: dwell on past issues
What are commonalities in same gender friendships?
close friendships won’t exist without the following:
- symmetrical reciprocity: loyalty, mutual regard, trustworthiness etc
- inclusion and mutual activities
- geographic/physical proximity (can be virtual)
- similarity between friends
What are gender differences in friendships?
- expectation of symmetrical reciprocity and communion higher among women
- agency expectations higher among men
- solidarity expectations similar across genders
What is love thought to be?
- most developed and intense type of interpersonal relationship
- fondness and passion for certain activities
- affection and loyalty
What is Sternbergs triangular theory of love?
there are three basic elements :
1. passion: sexual desire and attraction
2. intimacy: connection and closeness
3. commitment: to love and maintain
combining the characteristics leads to 7 types of love
What is passionate love?
- a state of intense longing and desire for another person
- short lived and in early stages
What is Hatfield and Walsters three factor theory of passionate love?
- meeting a suitable potential partner
- attributing physiological arousal to the presence of the potential partner
- understanding and accepting the concept of love
What is companionate love?
often a transition from passionate love
- based on friendly affection and deep attachment due to extensive familiarity
- more enduring
What factors contribute to a relationships satisfaction level?
- social exchange and equity
- interpretation
- social comparison
- social networks
- attachment
What is the social exchange framework?
- balance between what one gives and receives
- people take part in relationships that are personally rewarding and where the rewards outweigh the costs
- compare existing relationships with possible rewards and costs of alternative relationships
What is the equity theory in relationship satisfaction?
- based on social exchange framework: expectations of exchange in close relationships
- inequity can have negative responses
How does interpretation (attribution) lead to relationship satisfaction?
- people in happy and unhappy relationships interpret their partners behaviour differently
happy relationship = problems blamed on oneself and partner is given credit for solving problems
unhappy relationship = problems blamed on partner
How does social comparison play a role in relationship satisfaction?
- those with high relationship satisfaction perceive their relationship as better than most others relationships
How does social networks play a role in relationship satisfaction?
- marital satisfaction increased as a function of overlap between the couples social network
What is Bowlbys attachment theory in relationship satisfaction?
- attachment style to primary caregiver predicts the attachment style in close relationships in later life
secure attachment tend to: - have longer lasting relationships
- experience companionate love
- are preferred as partners
