Attraction & close relationships - (week 10) Flashcards
Overview of attraction and close relationships lecture.
PT1: Determinants of Initial Attraction:
- proximity/ exposure
- similarity
- reciprocal liking
- physical attractiveness
PT2: Evolutionary Perspective
- mate preferences
- conspicuous consumption
PT3: Close relationships
- types of love
- social exchange theory/ investment model
- equity
Determinants of initial attraction - proximity. What did Festinger find (1950)?
Participants randomly assigned to apartments
Participants married housing residents - initially started out as strangers
Named 3 of their closest friends who also lived in the complex
What are the reasons for the proximity effect?
- More likely to cross paths
- Mere exposure effect = more we are exposed to a stimulus, the more we come to like it (even if we have no conscious recognition of it)
Why? exposure increases perceptual fluency (easy to process); this feels good
Repeated exposure = object + nothing bad happened = safe
Similarity… What is the two stage model of the Attraction Process?
We meet people –> avoid those dissimilar –> filter out those with low similarity –> continuing contact.
Similarity… What is the two stage model of the Attraction Process?
We meet people –> avoid those dissimilar –> filter out those with low similarity –> continuing contact.
What are the reasons for similarity attraction?
Social validation function = it feels good when others agree and share our attitudes/ beliefs
Reciprocal liking = if we have same views, we assume others will like us
Attributions for disagreement = negative views towards another who doesn’t agree
Describe the Reciprocal Liking Experiment.
People were paired up, and told the other person either likes/ dislikes them. The conversation was oriented by the negative/ positive mindset going into it.
If you think the other person likes you, you will like them more, vice versa.
What are some exceptions to reciprocal liking?
Playing hard to get = we prefer those who are MODERATELY selective.
Role of self-esteem = those with low self-esteem –> prefer to talk to people who criticise them.
Self-verification motive = match to someone else as to how they see themselves
Describe the influence of physical attractiveness.
We end up with partners with similar levels of physical attractiveness.
Composite Faces experiment = faces merged together by a computer were found to be more attractive.
Why do we like attractive people? What is beautiful is good stereotype — socially competent, extroverted, assertive, more sexual.
Describe attractiveness and self-fulling prophecy. (Snyder & Tanke).
If you are more attractive, you might expect that people will treat you better, therefore you act great, and do get treated better. (Snyder & Tanke)
Describe the Evolutionary Perspective of attraction.
Women are more selective in their partners than men: resources, career achievement, ambition
Men: physical appearance, signs of reproductive fitness, youth, health, age.
Overall findings for both genders (Buss): both. genders valued honesty, trust, pleasant personality.
What is conspicuous consumption?
Buying/ displaying expensive items. – might signal high genetic quality, more resources.
Close relationships: describe the different types.
Types of love:
a) compassionate - intense longing and physiological arousal
b) companionate love - intimacy and affection.
Describe the Triangular Theory of Love. (Sternberg, 1980).
Involves:
- Passion = motivational component (physiological arousal) & sexual attraction
- Intimacy = emotional component & connection/ bond
- Commitment = cognitive component. To maintain love, and stay with your partner.
ALL 3 = CONSUMMATE LOVE = COMPLETE FORM OF LOVE
Variations:
Romantic love = intimacy & passion
Companionate love = intimacy & commitment
Fatuous love = passion & commitment
Describe the study of passion & misattribution of arousal (Dutton & Aaron)
After crossing a suspension bridge, participants were given the confederates number (for debriefing). Participants misattributed their physiological arousal from crossing the bridge, to attraction for the confederate.
