EVALUATION POINTS FOR RELATIONSHIPS Flashcards
Evaluation of evolutionary explanations
Ignore social and cultural influences
Alpha gender bias
Evaluation of self disclosure
Real life applications - research into self disclosure can help people who want to improve communication in their relationships
Cultural differences - the prediction that increasing depth and breadth of self disclosure will lead to a more satisfying and intimate relationship is not true for all cultures
Evaluation of physical attractiveness
Individual differences - there are large individual differences in how important physical attractiveness is
Cultural influences - research shows that what is considered physically attractive is remarkably consistent across cultures.
Methodological issues - if you are measuring physical attractiveness on just one day then it might have a different rating one day compared to the other
Ignores role of third party - dating choices can be influenced by family and friends. Third parties are more likely to consider compatibility rather than physical attractiveness
Evaluation of Filter theory
Direction of cause and effect - people are initially attracted to each other because they are similarly. However evidence suggests that partners become more similar over time
Not reliable because results have not been replicated
Culture bias - based on western culture where we can interact with lots of people as we live in an urban setting.
Evaluation of social exchange theory
Does not take equity into consideration
Criticism - researchers say that exchange relationships ( work) do involve social exchanges as the SET predicts. However, communal relationships (romantic partners) are marked by the giving and receiving of rewards without keeping score of who is behind or ahead
Evaluation of equity theory
Better than SET because looks into cognitive factors which gives potential for improving relationships counselling
Individual differences - not all partners in romantic relationships are concerned about achieving equity
Practical applications - this theory can be used to advance the effectiveness of relationship counselling
Evaluation of investment model
Can explain abusive relationships
Methodological strengths - relies of self report from evidence because it is important for it to be subjective
Based on correlational research - strong correlations have been found between all important factors predicted by the investment model. No evidence for causation though
Evaluation of ducks phase model
Incomplete model - original model is oversimplified. They modified it to have a fifth phase after Grave dressing which is named resurrection process.
The model only focuses on the breakdown of a relationship. It says nothing about how or why the relationship got to the point of breakdown in the first place
Methodological issues - retrospective research, participants generally give their experiences of the breakdown process sometime after the relationship has ended
Culture bias - the model are firmly based on the experience of relationships in western cultures, especially in the USA
Evaluation of attachment theory
Determinism - soft
Cultural influences - research studies have identified people from PSR with Harry Potter. This tendency is not culture specific.
Practical application - research into this field can be used to identify warning signs in people who may be vulnerable to developing PSR
