ATTRACTION Flashcards
3 main factors that influence choice of close friends and partners
- proximity
- physical attractiveness
- perceived similarity
Proximity in attraction
- physical distance between 2 persons
What is the proximity effect?
the closer someone is, the more likely we are to start a relationship with them
What is functional distance?
the closeness between places in terms of interaction opportunities
What causes the proximity effect?
- higher chance of meeting people who are close in physical distance
- anticipating interacting with someone increases liking
- familiarity
What is the mere exposure effect?
tendency for novel stimuli to be liked more or rated more positively after being repeatedly exposed to a person
What happens for physically attractive people?
- more likely to marry or re-marry
- get good grades
- attain prestigious jobs
- get lighter sentences for crimes
What is the halo effect? T/F
belief that physically attractive people have a wide range of positive traits
What influences attractiveness?
- facial symmetry = the degree to which one side of the face is similar to the other
- gendered features = fertility vs dominance
- facial averageness
What is perceived similarity in attraction?
- similarity increases attraction
- personality, demographics, looks
What is the matching hypothesis?
tendency to choose as partners those who are a match in attractiveness and personality
Anxiety in attachment?
extent to which a person worries about being abandoned to rejected by others
Avoidance in attachment?
extent to which a person feels discomfort with closeness and emotional intimacy in relationships
Key parts of a secure relationship
- low avoidance and anxiety
- optimistic and trusting
- can easily handle threats and no worry of being too dependent or abandoned
- enjoys sexuality and can get close
- satisfying
Key parts of high anxiety relationship
- overdependence
- hyperactivating
- less trusting, possessive, jealous, emotional, angry
- may break up repeatedly
Key parts of a highly avoidant relationship
- strive to maintain distance, control, self reliance, and low intimacy
- avoid negative emotions
- deactivating strategies
- tend be less invested and leave
- more one night stands
What is the social exchange theory?
- people make decisions about relationships by weighing costs and rewards
- staying together depends on satisfaction and presence of attractive alternatives
What is the investment model?
satisfaction level AND quality of alternatives –> commitment –> stay vs leave decisions
What is the strange situation experiment? (Ainsworth)
- Mom and infant in playroom
- Mom, infant, stranger
- Infant and stranger
- Mom and infant reunion
- Infant only
- Infant and stranger
- Mom and infant reunion
- measured attachment styles
- secure = good reliable bond
- avoidant = unavailable
- anxious = undependable
What is anticipatory liking?
expecting that someone will be pleasant and compatible will increase chances of a rewarding relationship
What is the physical attractiveness stereotype?
- presumption that physically attractive people possess other socially desirable traits as well
- what is beautiful = good
- princesses vs witches
Similarity vs dissimilarity
- birds of a feather flock together + likeness leads to liking
- dissimilarity breeds disliking
Equity in relationships
- outcomes people receive are proportional to what each person contributes
Equity in acquaintances vs in love/good friend
- acquaintances maintain equity by exchanging benefits
- those in an enduring relationship do not feel bound to trade similar benefits
Why is self disclosure important in a relationship?
- revealing intimate aspects increases liking and makes us like them more
- less loneliness
- we are happier
- stress
