Exam 3 Chapter 10 Flashcards
Why do we study relationships?
We need them to survive and thrive. They are the primary source of joy and misery in our lives. They reflect our early ancestor’s needs. Culture plays a role in facilitating them.`
How does propinquity / proximity affect attraction?
We are more likely to be attracted to people who are physically close to us and who we interact with frequently
Why does propinquity/proximity affect attraction?
Physical closeness increases familiarity and hence liking for other persons.
Perceived similarity
If you’re in the same places, you may share some similarity, which is attractive. Degree of similarity that people believe exists between them
Opportunity for interaction
This means you can discover other’s interests and personality.
mere exposure effect
the phenomenon that repeated exposure to neutral stimuli increases liking of them
Why does the mere exposure effect affect attraction?
Evolution “teaches” us to like the familiar. We like predictable things (more control). We like easy to process information.
What was festinger’s methodology?
Examined friendship patterns in married student housing at MIT and if proximity affected relationships
What were Festinger’s major findings?
Found that couples made friends with people close to them. 41% next-door neighbors were friends, 22% people who lived two doors apart, and 10% who lived on opposite ends of the hall
How does similarity affect attraction?
Similarity = liking. Similarity is the best predictor of Initial attraction and Long term relationship success
Why does similarity affect attraction?
When others have beliefs and ideas that are like ours, they provide validation for our beliefs and ideas. We expect those who are similar to us to be more likely to like us. We can better predict the behavior of similar others.
What is reciprocal liking?
people like others better when they believe the other person likes them
How does reciprocal liking affect attraction?
people tend to favor the potential partners who return the interest
Why would playing “hard to get” make someone more attractive?
Scarcity and Effort Justification
Effort Justification
the harder you try, the more validated you feel once you actually get it
Pratfall Effect
People are more attractive if they have small flaws that they feel a bit embarrassed about.
Why does the pratfall effect make someone more attractive?
Someone having small flaws makes others relate to them more
Why are people more likely to be attracted to people who are physically attractive?
Evolution, they are more rewarding, and associating with them enhances our status
What is the “what is beautiful is good” stereotype?
We believe that attractive people have more positive qualities - more sociable, popular, happier; aka the halo effect
Is the “What is beautiful is good” stereotype true?
In some ways, yes. Because people treat beautiful people differently, they usually develop good social interaction skills and have more satisfying interactions with others
self-fulfilling prophecy
a belief that leads to its own fulfillment
Halo Effect
assuming that one good quality is associated with other good qualities
What was Hatfield’s methodology?
He studied the attraction in welcome week dance where people were randomly matched
What were Hatfield’s major findings?
Only physical attractiveness mattered. If the other person was attractive, they wanted to see them again
What is the matching hypothesis and what explains it?
We date people similar in attractiveness. We are aware of our “value” in the dating market. Physical similarity = more relationship success
How and why does genetics influence modern social behavior?
Genes can predispose us to act certain ways. Behaviors with a genetic cause that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce got passed on to us.
How and why does culture influence modern social behavior?
Behaviors can be taught by members of a culture. Behaviors that facilitated our ancestor’s survival were taught to later generations
Natural selection
Different traits are associated with different rates of survival. If something survives, they pass on their trait and offspring will likely have it.
Sexual Selection
Different traits are associated with different rates of reproductive success. If something mates, they pass on their trait and offspring will likely have it.
How does evolution influence mate preference between the genders? How can these differences also be explained using culture?
Women look for men who can provide, and men look for women who can reproduce successfully; Women typically have less power culturally than men, so they rely on men for stability
What was Clark and Hatfield’s methodology?
They studied gender differences in casual sex. Students were approached by another student of the opposite sex and asked if they would go out, come over, or have sex.
What were Clark and Hatfield’s major findings?
Men and women were equally likely to accept a date from a stranger. A majority of men accepted request for casual sex, but no women agreed
Bilateral Symmetry
People whose left sides of their bodies and faces look identical to their right side.
In terms of evolutionary psychology, why is bilateral symmetry attractive?
Our ancestors who were attracted to bilateral symmetry were more likely to reproduce. Asymmetry may indicate mutations or exposure to pollution, pathogens, and stresses in the womb.
In terms of evolutionary psychology, why are smooth complexions attractive?
Our ancestors who were attracted to smooth complexions were more likely to reproduce. Bad complexion may indicate the presence of parasites or diseases.
In terms of evolutionary psychology, why are average faces attractive?
Bilateral symmetry and Evolution - may indicate a lack of genetic abnormalities, and they closely resemble the prototype of faces, which makes them easy to process, which we enjoy.
In terms of evolutionary psychology, why is the female 0.7 waist-to-hip ratio attractive?
This ratio is associated with better fertility. Men who were attracted to this quality were more likely to reproduce
Companionate love
Friends and family: you deeply care for someone but they aren’t physiologically arousing
Passionate Love
Romantic partners: deep longing for the person and experience of physiological arousal around them.
According to evolutionary psychology, what is the purpose of parental love?
To raise children
What is Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love?
Love consists of: Intimacy, passion, and commitment. Different ‘mixes’ produce different types of love
Intimacy
closeness and connection
Passion
sexual arousal and excitement
Commitment
Decision to stick together
According to Sternberg, what is romantic love?
Passion + Intimacy (early relationships)
According to Sternberg, what is companionate love?
Intimacy + commitment (later relationships, friends, and family)
According to Sternberg, what is fatuous love?
Passion + commitment (‘love at first sight’)
How does the two-factor theory of love explain attraction?
Unexplained physiological arousal + situational cues that lead to label of love
What was Dutton & Aron’s methodology?
Male participants crossed a river over a scary (arousing) or stable bridge and a female interviewed them, then gave them her number.
What were Dutton & Aron’s major findings?
The participant was more likely to call the confederate if they were crossing the scary bridge because of their arousal
What is attachment style and how does it affect relationships?
The way a person typically interacts with significant others. Depending on the attachment style, a person may find relationships difficult or not
What are the four major attachment styles?
secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, fearful-avoidant
What is the secure attachment style?
Trusts others and aren’t concerned about being abandoned. Considered healthiest style. Comfortable depending on others and others depending on them
What is the anxious-preoccupied attachment style?
Anxious that other people will not reciprocate their need for intimacy. Emotionally needy. Uncomfortable being w/o relationships but worry others don’t value them the same
What is the dismissive-avoidant attachment style?
Don’t feel as much need to be close to others. Finds intimate relationships difficult. Comfortable w/o close emotional relationships. Likes to be independent and self-sufficient and not depend on others
What is the fearful-avoidant attachment style?
Have strong attachment needs but are scared to pursue intimacy. Fearful of relationships. Uncomfortable getting close to others bc it is difficult to trust or depend on them. Worried they’ll get hurt
What is social exchange theory?
People are drawn to rewards and avoid punishment. People rationally make decisions based on costs and benefits in relationships
What does social exchange theory say about commitment to relationships?
People will stick to their current relationships as long as they find them more profitable than the alternatives.
What are the different components of social exchange theory?
Costs and benefits, comparison levels, and comparison level of alternatives
Comparison levels
This is based on your prior experiences with relationships. How many rewards or costs do you expect from relationships?
High comparison level
expecting lots of rewards and few costs in the relationship
Low comparison level
expecting bad relationships and satisfied with whatever you get
Comparison level for alternatives
This is based on your social / dating environment. Is a better relationship available?
High comparison level for alternatives
Less commitment because you can find a better relationship easily
Low comparison level for alternatives
More commitment because you probably can’t find a better relationship
According to social exchange theory, what does it mean to be satisfied with your relationship?
The rewards exceed the costs, and the relationship beats your expectations (CL)
According to social exchange theory, what does it mean to be dependent on your relationship?
You can’t find a better relationship. There are no better alternatives (low CLalt).
According to social exchange theory, is it possible to be both satisfied and dependent on a relationship?
Yes - if a relationship is amazing, you probably feel it’s difficult to find better.
According to social exchange theory, why do people stay in bad relationships?
A low comparison level or low comparison level for alternatives
Equity theory
The rewards and costs of a relationship are relatively equal. Better, more stable relationships. If not, it is inequitable.
Inequitable relationship - over-benefited
high rewards, low costs
Inequitable relationship - under-benefitted
low rewards, high costs
What does the equity theory say about how people behave in Long-Term Relationships?
Beliefs in equity change in long-term relationships or close relationships. Less focus on exchanging equal favors. Not as likely to expect immediate rewards.
What does the equity theory say about how people behave in exchange relationships?
Equity concerns-Keep track of costs and benefits. Helping them is an obligation. Acquaintances, casual friends.
What does the equity theory say about how people behave in communal relationships?
No equity concerns - Don’t keep track of costs and benefits. Helping them makes you happy. Family and romantic partners.
How has the internet and new technology influenced attraction and dating?
It’s easier to make connections, but it’s easier to not be genuine online and to be distracted from physical stimuli.
How does love vary across cultures?
American couples value passionate love, while Chinese couples value companionate love.
What is the investment model of close relationships?
The theory that people’s commitment to a relationship depends not only on their satisfaction with the relationship, but also on how much they have invested in the relationship that would be lost by ending it
What have social psychologists learned about the experience of breaking up?
Breakups increase psychological distress and reduce life satisfaction. There are four stages: The intrapersonal (internal dissatisfaction), dyadic (discusses breakup with partner), social (announced publicly), and back to intrapersonal (recovery and assessment); It’s painful
