Attraction Flashcards
define a psychological need
A mechanism for regulating behaviour to acquire the tangible or intangible resources necessary for survival and well-being
what happens when a psychological need is not met
Mental and physical health decline
Loneliness and social rejection
How is loneliness measured in a lab
- Cyberball - robots posed as other students throw ball whilst excluding actual participant
- Measure consumption afterwards e.g. how much they drank
what would evolutionary perspectives suggest about a need to belong
-The motive to belong is universal –Behaviours seen in children worldwide and not in other species
-reproduction is more successful in stable and close relationships
how does proximity play a role in relationship development
-requires physical closeness to lead to greater comfort and attraction
what is the reward model of liking
-people like others they associate with positive stimuli
-like or dislike of a person can be simply due to the mood they were in when they met
define transference
When meeting new people you transfer feelings from someone who you already know
why is similarity of attitudes a strong determinant of attraction
sharing interests validates own view of the world
what is the norm of reciprocity
-being liked first is a strong initial factor of attraction
-people anticipate rewards from people who like them
when does flattery become innaffective
if an ulterior motive is noticeable
example of opposites attracting
highly masculine men often prefer highly feminine women
tend to prefer opposites in terms of dominance and submissiveness
what does gain loss theory suggest
Liking is highest for others when they increase their positivity toward you over time
when is a compliment more potent
when from someone who has never complimented you before
what role does physical attractiveness play
Can influence political decisions, popularity, and dating frequency
why is physical attractiveness important
-pleasant to look at attractive people (rewards)
-contributes to sexual appeal
what is the halo effect
Assumption people with one positive attribute (attractiveness) must have other positive traits
how does culture play a role in physical attractiveness
beauty standards tend to vary across cultures
evidence of averageness being key to physical attraction
The more real faces that are used to create the composite face, the more attractive a composite face is perceived
why are we attracted to averageness according to evolutionary psychology
they signal good health for mating potential
what are the gender differences of the role of physical attraction
-men tend to report physical attractiveness as a key factor to relationships more than women
what are women more likely to be attracted to over physicality
financial status and resources
gender differences for views on sex
women - tend to see sex as part of an emotionally intimate relationship
men - more likely to have casual sex outside a relationship - want sex sooner and more often
what is interdependence as a component of closeness
A situation in which what each person does significantly influences what the partner does over long periods of time
what is mutuality as a component of closeness
Partners’ acknowledgment that their lives are intertwined and thinking of themselves as a couple (“us”) instead of as separate individuals
what is commitment as a component of closeness
Partners’ investment of time, effort, and resources in their relationship, with the expectation that it will continue indefinitely
what is a parasocial relationship
Relationships with people in the media e.g. celebrities
Usually lack interdependence
what are common costs of close relationships
Can be demanding
May require sacrifice
Can be a source of stress, frustration and emotional pain
what are common benefits of close relationships
Facilitate day to day activities
Share labour and pool resources
Provide advice and consolation
Pope’s definition of romantic love
romantic love is preoccupation, deep desire, despair in separation, and joy in reunion
Berscheid’s definition of love
a strong, positive feeling we have toward someone/something we care deeply about
Fisher’s definition of love
focus of attention, feelings, desire; source of meaning and value; joy and despair
what neuroscientific evidence is there for love
Increased activity of dopamine (reward) areas occurs when loved one is contemplated
what does culture influence
-what love looks like
how to act on feelings of romantic love
what does attachment theory suggest
three major forms of attachment stemmed from child-maternal interactions
attachment type tends to persist into adult relationships
what are the three attachment types and their prevalence
secure - 60%
anxious/ambivalent - 20%
avoidant - 20%
who are relationships more likely to be satisfying and long term with
secure attachment for both members
anxious women and avoidant men
how are relationships related to terror management theory
Help each other manage the threat of mortality by giving life meaning and reinforcing self-worth
- having children and therefore living on in some way
what does the self expansion model suggest
Romantic relationships serve the desire to expand the self (self schema)
relationships in 1700s-1800s
marriage geared towards resolving practical concerns
relationships 1800-1960s
breadwinner model dominated
relationships 1960s - present
Marriage results in greater sense of life satisfaction and self growth
what are the main stages in the course of a romantic relationships
physical attraction
self disclosure
rose coloured lenses
adjusting to interdependency
marital satisfaction
what is the value stage
comparing attitudes or values
what is the role stage
establishing roles to maintain relationships
what does the rose coloured lenses stage mean
people long to have a perfect romantic partner
positive illusions - negatives ignored
how does adjusting to interdependency occur
Beginning of a romantic relationship is marked by a rapid rise in satisfaction
Satisfaction levels off
what happens after turbulence occurs
satisfaction increases gradually again
when does turbulence in a relationship occur
-during major life events
-more common in younger ages
when do marital satisfaction drops tend to occur
first year and eight year
what may cause decreases in marital satisfaction
unrealistic expectations
challenges of parenthood
decrease in passionate love
what does interdependence theory involve
assessing:
-satisfaction
-investments
-alternatives
