Exam 2- Chapter 3: Interpersonal Attraction

Question 1

Cue Similarity

Answer 1

We tend to be more attracted to people who remind us of others in our past with whom we’ve had good relations.

Cues: humor, clothing, tone, etc.
-often works at a level below our awareness

Question 2

Social Comparison

Answer 2

We constantly compare ourselves to others & we rely on these comparisons to determine how we are (reason why similar people attract).

Question 3

Motive Prepotency

Answer 3

Longing to fit in with others
-The longer the motive becomes unsatisfied, the more prepotent they become (example: no date in a long time- become desperate)

Question 4

Reciprocation

Answer 4

We expect what we give to be returned, and obligated to return what we are given (i.e. compliments). “You scratch my back, I scratch yours.”
Part of short-term relationship.

Question 5

Physical Attractiveness

Answer 5

The presumption that physically attractive people posses other socially desirable traits as well: What is beautiful is good.

Biggest predictor of predicting attraction. When you don’t know anyone somewhere, physical appearance is the only info you have.

Question 6

What are the 5 predictors of attraction?

Answer 6

1) Cue Similarity
2) Motive Prepotency
3) Similarity
4) Reciprocation
5) Physical Attractiveness (most useful in predicting)

Question 7

Walster & Berscheid-1969 (“Getting to Know You Dance”)

Answer 7

-Had group of college freshman take a survey about attitudes on different subjects.
-Told they were “matched up”and met “match” at arranged dance.
-After, asked “would you like to see your match again?”
Only said yes if match was attractive.

Question 8

Symmetry

Answer 8

Said to make people more attractive– partly true. “Averageness” of size of features is actually a better indicator.
Study: Langlois et al.

Question 9

Langlois et al.- 1992 (Attractiveness)

Answer 9

• Created a composite digital image of a face using faces of real people
• The more faces used for the composite image, the more attractive the digital image was rated.
• Showed “average” features makes one more physically attractive.

Question 10

E= A x C

Shacter & Singer- 1962

Answer 10

Emotion= Arousal x Cognition
Emotions feel different because of a cognitive label that is determined by context.
Example: feeling queasy, tense up, heart races… symptoms of sickness but also the way we may feel when we’re in love. Or, Bear vs Love.

Note: If either A or C is 0, there is no emotion.

Question 11

Passionate Love

Answer 11

Early stages of a relationship, shown by intense longing. Selfish form of love- love partner because of the way they make us feel.
Lasts about 5 years. Indicated by Arousal.

Question 12

Companionate Love

Answer 12

Stage after Passionate Love. Much more about other person and caring for their wellbeing. Not all about arousal.

Question 13

Divorce & Detachment

Answer 13

Usually happens when love is changing from Passionate to Companionate.

Risk of divorce depends on who marries whom.
Detachment occurs when there is a destructive response to relationship distress.

Question 14

Newcomb- 1961 (Similarity)

Answer 14

Tested Similarity. “Liking begets Liking.”
Studied 2 groups of 17 unacquainted male transfer students. After 13 weeks of boarding house life, those whose agreement was initially highest were most likely to have formed close relationships. One group of friends was composed of 5 liberal art students, each a political liberal with strong intellectual interests. Another was made up of 3 conservative veterans who were all enrolled in the engineering college.

Question 15

Need to Belong

Answer 15

A motivation to bond with others in relationships that provide ongoing, positive interactions.

Question 16

Reward Theory of Attraction

Answer 16

The theory that we like those whose behavior is rewarding to us or whom we associate with rewarding events.

If we want a relationship to continue, it is good to associate with good things (romantic dinners, theatre, vacation, etc.)

Question 17

Self-Disclosure

Answer 17

Revealing intimate aspects of oneself to another.

Question 18

Attachement Styles:

Secure, Avoidant, and Insecure Attachment

Answer 18

Secure: Attachments rooted in trust and marked by intimacy (infants play comfortably in mother’s presence, distressed if she leaves, but embrace her when she comes back.)
Avoidant: Attachments marked by discomfort over, or resistance to, being close to others. (avoid closeness, and little distress in relationships.)
Insecure: Attachments marked by anxiety or ambivalence. (Infants cry when mother leaves, and resentful when she returns.)