Chapter 10 Flashcards
Relationships and Attraction
Issues with studying relationships
- Establishing causation – random assignment, control groups, and manipulation of independent variable isn’t possible or practical.
Because it is hard to study relationships with empirical studies, we use ____ studies and then correct for its ____.
Longitudinal; statistics
What about the external validity of relationship studies?
They’re the worst :|
- Culture, gender or sexuality can result in different relationship experiences and different standards to a relationship.
- Also the vast majority of relationship studies are done in heterosexual couples, so lgbtq are often neglected.
What does the fake monkey mom study illustrate?
Infant monkeys preferred warmth and comfort over food.
The effects of relationships on humans
- Higher mortality rates for divorced/unmarried/widowed
- Higher suicide rates for single/divorced
- Higher crime rates for single/divorced
- Higher well being in general for married
Communal relationship
Individuals feel a special responsibility for one another and give and receive according to need
- More prevalent in small towns, friends and family, and collectivist cultures
Exchange relationship
Individuals feel little responsibility toward one another; giving and receiving are governed by concerns about equity and reciprocity; typically short term.
- Prevalent in dense, urban environment, workers and service, and individualistic cultures.
Social exchange theory
People seek out relationships that have more rewards than costs
How do we evaluate rewards and costs?
- Comparison level: people’s expectations about what they deserve/expect from a relationship
- Comparison level for alternatives: people’s expectations about what they can get out of available other relationships
Equity theory
People are motivated to pursue fairness/equity in their relationships
*Less important in collectivist cultures and more in individualistic cultures
Attachment theory
Our early attachments with parents and caregivers shape relationships for a person’s whole life
Internal working model
A mental representation of the relationship with a early primary caregiver. This becomes a schema for relationships
Anxiety dimension of attachment
Amount of fear a person feels about rejection and abandonment
Avoidance dimension of attachment
Amount of discomfort regarding intimacy and dependence
Attachment styles
Secure: Comfortable with relationships
Avoidant: Difficulty trusting people
Anxious-ambivalent: Worries about scaring people away
