Attraction Flashcards
Causes of Attraction
Mere Exposure Effect- The more exposure we have to a stimulus, the more apt we are to like it.
Similarity
Do birds of a feather flock together or do opposites attract?
Newcomb(1961)
- Randomly assignes male college students to roommates on a particular dorm
- Men formed friendships with other men of similar backgrounds and interests
Why?
- We expect similar others to like us and are more likely to initiate a relationship
- Similar others validate our characteristics and beliefs
- We infer things about other peoples character based on perceived similarity
Reciprocal Liking
We like people who like us
Gold et al. (1984)
-Men were attracted to a women who non-verbally displayed liking when even though she disagreed with them on important issues
Flattery
- Sincere flattery can increase liking
- Ingratiating flattery decreases liking
What is beautiful is good stereotype?
When u assume something that is beautiful is good
Ex: When u think a girl wearing a nice dress is beautiful, and a person dressed in dirty clothes is bad
Sternberg triangle theory of love:
I Pick Cotton Round Country Corners
Intimacy- The emotional component, which involves likings and feelings of closeness
Passion- The motivational component, which contains drives that trigger attraction, romance, and sexual desire.
Commitment- The cognitive component-which reflects the decision to make a long term commitment to a loved partner
Romantic love (Passionate love)- The intense and erotic longing we experience for another person; Characterized by intimacy and passion.
Companionate love- The intimacy and affection we feel when we care deeply for another person but don’t experience passion or arousal for the person.
Consummate love- “The real deal”
-Characterized by passion, intimacy and commitment
The matching hypothesis
The tendency for men and women to choose as partners those who are a “good match” in attractiveness and other traits
Welcome dance studies
- Students were rated by independent judges on physical attractiveness. They also took several personality inventories to establish their personality and interests. Students were randomly assigned a partner for a welcome dance.
- Physical attractiveness was most important in whether or not someone was thought to be a good date.
Results:
- More attractive partners were rated as better dates
- In a 6 month follow up, partners who were similarly rated in physical attractiveness were more likely to have continued dating.
Equity Theory
Theory that people are happiest with relationships in which the rewards and costs experienced and the contributions made by both parties are roughly equal.
Social exchange theory
People’s feelings about a relationship depend on their perceptions of:
Satisfaction-The rewards
Investment-The costs
Attachment Theory
A theory about how early attachments with caregivers shape our relationships for the remainder of our lives.
Attachment Styles
Secure attachment- Characterized by feelings of security in relationships
*Individuals are comfortable with intimacy and desire to be close to others during times of threat and uncertainty
(Women) INSECURE-ANXIOUS OR AMBIVALENT ATTACHMENT
- Characterized by anxiety over others not reciprocating desire for intimacy
- Seek closeness, express continual worries about relationships and during situations of threat and uncertainty, excessively try to get close to others.
(Men) INSECURE-AVOIDANT ATTACHMENT
- Characterized by a suppression of attachment needs
- Compulsive self-reliance, prefers distance from others, dismissive and detached during conditions of threat and uncertainty
Prosocial behavior
Any act performed with the goal of benefitting another person
Evolutionary perspective on helping
Kin Selection:
- Preferential helping of genetic relatives which facilitates our genetic survival
- People reporting more likely to help a genetic relationship over an unrelated person in a life or death situation
Cooperative Breeding:
-Helping to raise the offspring of genetic relatives in place of reproducing oneself
Group Selection:
We engage in helping behavior to facilitate the survival of our groups
-Helpful groups survive better than selfish groups
-If I help someone in my group, someone else might help me
The norm of reciprocity
Expectation that helping others will increase the likelihood that they will help us in the future.
Egoistic help
Motivated to help to increase one’s own welfare