Attraction & Close Relationships

Question 1

What is the proximity effect that determines initial attraction?

Answer 1

It is a mere exposure effect - the more we are exposed to stimulus, the more we come to like that simulus

Question 2

How does the proximity effect work?

Answer 2

Exposure increases perceptual fluency (easy to process) which feels good and:
Repeated exposure + nothing bad happens = good

Question 3

What is the effect of similarity on determining initial attraction?

Answer 3

people tend to become involved romantically with others who are equivalent in their physical attractiveness

Question 4

What are the reasons for similarity attraction?

Answer 4

• Social validation function: share our beliefs/values so we feel right
• Attributions for disagreement: disagree on something important = unpleasant
• Reciprocal liking: we assume similar others will like us

Question 5

What are the reasons for reciprocal liking?

Answer 5

• Rewarding - it feels good

- Similarity - we like ourselves

Question 6

What are the exceptions to reciprocal liking?

Answer 6

• Playing hard to get: prefer moderately selective compared to those who are non-selective or too-selective
• Standards/uncertainty/reactance

Question 7

What is the effect of physical attractiveness?

Answer 7

The more attractive, the more positively viewed the person is

Question 8

What are the effects of composite faces?

Answer 8

faces merged together are more attractive than the component faces

Question 9

Composites are rated more attractive when they…

Answer 9

• Are made out of attractive vs average faces (Perret et al)

- Contain picture of us (Little & Perret)

Question 10

Why do we like attractive people?

Answer 10

rewarding to be in the company of people who are aesthetically appealing as we associate physical attractiveness with other desirable qualities

Question 11

What are the stereotypes about attractive people?

Answer 11

• more socially competent
• more sexual, happier assertive
• higher is personal strength or integrity and concern

Question 12

What is the relationship between self-fulfilling prophecies and attraction?

Answer 12

PHONE CALL STUDY - males acted warmer and more sociable to attractive females

Question 13

What is the evolutionary perspective of males?

Answer 13

look for signs of reproductive fitness, physical appearance (age, health), attractiveness and youth

Question 14

What is the evolutionary perspective of females?

Answer 14

look for resources, economics and career achievements, and ambition, industriousness and good earning capacity

Question 15

What is the effect of Conspicuous consumption?

Answer 15

showing off your resources and status is male’s short term mating to signal high genetic quality but not a long term goal

Question 16

What are intimate relationships?

Answer 16

• Feelings of attachment, affection and love
• Fulfillment of psychological needs
• Interdependence between partners

Question 17

What are the two types of love?

Answer 17

Passionate love and companionate love

Question 18

What is passionate love?

Answer 18

Intense longing for person, phsyciological arousal

Question 19

What is companionate love?

Answer 19

feelings of intimacy and affection

Question 20

What is intimacy?

Answer 20

self-disclosure:

• revelations about the self-made by other
• increases as the relationship develops

Question 21

What is higher self-disclosure associated with?

Answer 21

• more positive affect and attractions

- greater satisfaction, commitment and love in couples

Question 22

what is passion and misattribution of arousal?

Answer 22

SCARY BRIDGE STUDy - people on the scary bridge more likely to call as they misattribute their arousal to attraction
RUNNING STUDY - running (arousal) increased attraction to attractive target

Question 23

What is the social exchange theory?

Answer 23

The rewards, costs, Comparison level and comparison level for alternatives in relationships

Question 24

What are rewards in the social exchange theory?

Answer 24

Positive, gratifying aspects of the relationship that makes it worthwhile and reinforcing

Question 25

What are the costs in the social exchange theory?

Answer 25

Things we don’t like about our partner, conflict, compromise

Question 26

What is the comparison level in the social exchange theory?

Answer 26

our average expectation about the level of rewards and punishments we are likely to receive in a particular relationship

Question 27

What is the comparison level for alternatives in the social exchange theory?

Answer 27

our expectations about the level of rewards and punishments we would receive in an alternative relationship

Question 28

What is the investment model?

Answer 28

Rewards - costs - comparisison level = satisfaction

Satisfaction - comparision for alternatives + investments = commitment

Question 29

What is the equity theory?

Answer 29

people feel happier when the balance of rewards and costs are the same for each person in the relationship

Question 30

What are the types of equity concerns?

Answer 30

• Exchange relationships (strangers/acquaintances): strict reciprocity, keep track of who contributes what
• Communal relationships (friends/family/partners): mutual responsiveness to each other needs and don’t keep track of contributions closely