Attraction

Question 1

factors that predict attraction

Answer 1

proximity, familiarity, reciprocal liking, similarity, physical attractiveness

Question 2

the idea that your initial like/disliking is intensified with how often you see them (there isn’t really data to support this yet)

Answer 2

intensification hypothesis

Question 3

two common assumptions about attraction

Answer 3

opposites attract and complementarity

Question 4

attracted to those of similar physical attractiveness

Answer 4

matching hypothesis

Question 5

gender differences in attraction

Answer 5

men: primarily physical attractiveness and youth
women: physical attractiveness, wealth, status, age

Question 6

the downside of being physically attractive

Answer 6

more undesired sexual advances, more resentment from the same sex, difficulty interpreting positive feedback, if used to advantage it will backfire

Question 7

what do we find attractive in a face

Answer 7

particular facial features (i.e. “babyface)
symmetry
averageness

Question 8

what do we find attractive in a body

Answer 8

men: average weight, shoulder to hip ratio a V
women: around average weight, waist 1/3 narrower than hips

Question 9

evolutionary perspective on attraction

Answer 9

males prefer healthy, fertile-looking female that can pass along quality genes

females prefer a strong, dominant looking make that can protect and provide resources

Question 10

basic premises of attachment theory

Answer 10

human infants require extensive caregiving to survive

infants use attachment figure as a secure base from which to explore and a safe haven for comfort and protection when needed

differences in caregiving = patterns in relating and “attaching” to others across the lifespan (secure and insecure attachment)

Question 11

confidence that attachment figure will be available, responsive, and able to help

Answer 11

secure attachment

Question 12

no confidence that attachment figure will be available, responsive, and able to help

Answer 12

insecure attachment

Question 13

breakdown of percentages of attachment styles

Answer 13

secure = 56%
anxious/ambivalent = 21%
avoidant = 23%

Question 14

secure attachment style

Answer 14

caregivers: appropriately, warmly responsive to needs, showed positive emotions, encouraged explanation
adults: trust that others will maintain love and support

beliefs about SOR: self as likable, others can be trusted, love can last

Question 15

anxious-ambivalent attachment style

Answer 15

caregivers: inconsistent due to preoccupation with own needs, over-bearing affection, discouraged exploration
adults: fear of abandonment, feel needs not met

beliefs about SOR: self-doubt; others don’t meet needs and are less willing to commit to relationships; can easily fall in love

Question 16

avoidant attachment style

Answer 16

caregivers: aloof and distant, present but unresponsive, forced exploration
adults: defensive detachment from others

beliefs about SOR: self is hard to get to know; rare to find someone you can easily fall in love with; love rarely lasts

Question 17

correlates of secure attachment

Answer 17

more positive emotions during social interactions
more positive beliefs about romantic relationships
less loneliness
greater adaptiveness to relational conflict
more enjoyment of sex
longer duration of relationships

Question 18

correlates of anxious-ambivalent attachment

Answer 18

more negative emotions during social interactions
falls in and out of love more often; preoccupied with relationships
more jealousy, more unstable emotions
higher level of self-disclosure and early intimacy
likes sex for physical contact
shorter duration of relationships (repeated breakups)

Question 19

correlates of avoidant attachment

Answer 19

more negative emotions during social interactions
more likely to believe that true love doesn’t exist
greater loneliness
more distancing responses to relational conflict
low levels of self-disclosure and intimacy
more sexual promiscuity

Question 20

intense longing for union

Answer 20

passionate love

Question 21

feelings of intimacy and affection for those we care about deeply

Answer 21

compassionate love

Question 22

after 1 year, couples (on average) report

Answer 22

lower satisfaction with relationship, fewer shared pleasurable experiences, more shared instrumental activities, more ambivalence about the relationship, lower passionate love

Question 23

Gottman’s “Big 4” perspective on relationship problems

Answer 23

criticism - attacking partner’s personality
contempt - insults, histility, negative actions/tone
defensiveness - protecting self as main focus
stonewalling - emotional or physical attractiveness

Question 24

Gottman’s remedies

Answer 24

criticism - making specific claims and requests
contempt - validate your partner
defensiveness - practice non-defensiveness
stonewalling - “conscious communication”