Chapter 9 - Attraction & Relationships Flashcards
What causes Attraction?
-one of the simplest determinants of interpersonal attraction is proximity, also called propinquity.
-Propinquity effect: the finding that the more we see and interact with people, the more likely they are to become our friends.
How does the Propinquity Effect work?
-the propinquity effect works because of familiarity, or the mere exposure effect:
–the more exposure we have to a stimulus (whether face-to-face or online), the more apt we are to like it (more predictable world = positive attributions).
-attraction and propinquity rely on actual physical distance plus functional distance:
–aspects of architectural design that make it likely some people will come into contact with each other more often than others.
How does physical attractiveness impact liking?
-although people may not want to admit it, research shows physical attractiveness strongly influences liking.
-we may not rate attractiveness as the number one criterion, but other behaviour indicates that it is.
-there is a preference for large eyes, prominent cheekbones, and a big smile.
What are the Cultural Standards of Physical Attractiveness?
-there is considerable agreement across cultures on what constitutes physically attractive face.
-perception of symmetry is correlated to attractiveness - may have developed through evolution.
What are some assumptions about attractive people?
-it is assumed that attractive people have desirable qualities (Halo Effect).
-as a result, they often get preferential treatment.
-the “what is beautiful is good” stereotype occurs cross-culturally, but seems to be limited to judgements of social competency.
What are some assumptions about unattractive people?
-the opposite is also true
-the Horn Effect - perceiving an unattractive quality in a person can lead us to believe that they possess multiple undesirable characteristics.
What are the Theories of Love?
-Sternberg suggests 3 key components of love:
–intimacy (promotes closeness and connectedness)
–passion (intense longing for union; physical and sexual attraction)
–commitment (very conscious)
-consummate love is the ideal kind of love and it has an equal amount/high balance of all 3.
Why do we love?
Evolutionary Explanations of Love
-human behaviour, and thus love, has evolved in specific ways to maximize reproductive success.
-because the reproductive costs are greater for women, the strategies they use will differ from that used by men when looking for a mate.
Alternative Views: Self-Expansion Theory
-humans have a tendency to expand their social circles to maximize their resources.
-self-expansion supports the idea that we are internally driven to seek positive affirmation to enhance our own sense of selves through the creation and maintenance of close relationships (positive affirmation is bideractional).
-over time, the “other” is considered a part of the self, as resources and identities are shared between couples or group members.
What are the Attachment Theory and Styles?
-attachment theory suggests that our behaviour in adult relationships is based on our experiences as infants with our parents or caregivers. (the way we were loved early on in life is the way we are going to show love later on in life)
-attachment styles are the expectations people develop about relationships, based on the relationship they had with their primary caregiver when they were infants.
What are the different adult attachment styles (Hazan and Shaver Model)?
-secure attachment
-anxious/preoccupied/ambivalent attachment
-dismissive/avoidant attachment
-fearful/avoidant attachment
What is the Secure Attachment style?
-they are typically comfortable in their relationships and find no issues with commitment and trust with their partner(s).
–positive view of the self and of others; 60% of North American adults have secure attachment relationships with a partner.
What is the Anxious/Preoccupied/Ambivalent Attachment style?
-they exhibit some forms of separation anxiety and can exhibit low self-esteem. They can become over-dependent on their partner(s) or also push them away because of their own insecurities.
–typically have a positive view of others but a negative view of oneself, which can lead to separating anxiety and other things.
What is the Dismissive/Avoidant Attachment style?
-they can be guarded when it comes to intimacy. They exhibit a lack of trust towards potential partner(s) or also show no interest in forming close relationships.
–a positive view of themselves, but hold a negative view of others.
What is the Fearful/Avoidant Attachment style?
-those with fearful attachment typically demonstrated inconsistent and fluctuating feelings about intimacy. They might desire close intimate relationships, but may also become avoidant with their partner.
–can have a negative view of themselves and a negative view of others. Might want close relationships but might be fearful of rejection due to low self-esteem.
How do attachment styles impact intimate relationships?
-attachment style affects relationship satisfaction, commitment and trust.
–avoidant and anxious attachment show deficits in the above factors.
-coping with relationship conflict also differs according to attachment style, with securely attached individuals using more effective strategies.
-new research suggests that people may have different attachment styles in different relationships.
-general attachment is distinct from relationship-specific attachment, but over time the two will likely align.
–if you are generally secure, your attachment in specific relationships will tend to become secure.
