factors affecting relationships

Question 1

what are the main factors affecting relationships

Answer 1

1. physical attractiveness
2. filter theory
3. self-disclosure

Question 2

describe the matching hypothesis as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 2

• Walster and Walster said individuals seek partners who are most like themselves in terms of physical attractiveness
  this involves:
  1. assessing own level of physical attractiveness
  2. focussing attention upon potential partners of perceived physical attractiveness

Question 3

why is the matching hypothesis important

Answer 3

• initiator has less chance of being rejected
• ppl may feel more secure w/ someone with similar attractiveness due to fears that they might leave for a more attractive option

Question 4

describe ‘realistic choices’ in regards to the matching hypothesis

Answer 4

ppl must consider different factors such as their ideal choice and whether it is reciprocated by other people

Question 5

describe an A03 point of matching hypothesis

Answer 5

P- not supported in real life dating
E- Taylor studied activity logs of online dating sites
E- ppl sought meetups with people who were more attractive than themselves
L- undermines matching hypothesis as contradicts matching attractiveness

HOWEVER
Fiengold found correlation of rating of physical attractiveness between romantic partners in meta analysis of 17 studies

Question 6

describe the Halo effect as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 6

• ppl have preconcieved ideas about personaliy traits attractive ppl have
• Halo effect has disproportionate influence on judgement
• Dion –> “what is beautiful is good”
• may create a self fulfilling prophecy

Question 7

describe an A03 point of the Halo Effect

Answer 7

P- supporting evidence comes from Palmer and Peterson
E- pps rated how competing they thought attractive vs. unnatractive ppl were
E- Pps rated the more attractive ppl higher –> they labelled the more attractive people as more knowledgeable
L- implications for political processes –> politicians may be judged suitable based off of looks

Question 8

describe Evolution as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 8

symmetrical face = good signs of genes
neotenous face = triggers caring instinct
- singh studied waist to hip ratio and found men found 0.7 ratio attractive as it signified fertility

Question 9

describe an A03 point of Evolution as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 9

P- supporting evidence for nature
E- Cunningham found that males from different cultures all rated females with prominent cheekbones and large eyes attractive
L- suggests attractiveness might be a genetically produced mechanism

HOWEVER –> nurture may be ignored - family or culture may play a part

Question 10

what is an A03 point of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 10

P- other explanation
E- filter theory - Kirckoff and Davis
E- ppl sift through potential partners via criteria - sociodemographic, similarity of attitudes, complementarity of needs
L- physical attractiveness may be too simple

Question 11

describe the Filter Theory as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 11

• Kerckoff and Davis state ppl have several important criteria ppl use to choose partner called ‘filters’
• ‘field of availables’ are filtered out to ‘field of desirables’
  filters include:
  1. sociodemographic
  2. similarity of attitudes
  3. complementarity of needs

Question 12

describe Sociodemographic as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory

Answer 12

• characteristics such as physical proximity, social class and religion
• potential partners are limited due to social circumstances
• anyone who is too different is discounted
• homogamy = more likely to form relationship w/ someone is is socially similar

Question 13

what is an A03 point of Sociodemographic as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory

Answer 13

P- may be less relevant
E- technology means relationships can be online
E- lacks temporal validity as it need to consider modern dating methods

Question 14

describe Similarity of attitudes as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory

Answer 14

• ppl view those with similar core beliefs as more attractive
• Byrne notes this is more important in early stages of relationships
• if partners have little in common, relationship is likely to end after a few dates

Question 15

describe Complementarity of Needs as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory

Answer 15

• Kerckoff and Davis suggests thst this plays key role in long-term couples
• need to fulfill each others needs
• Winch supports this –> similarity of personality create union of their long-term relationship

Question 16

describe an A03 point of the Filter theory regarding issues and debates

Answer 16

P- culture bound
E- filter theory uses ppts from individualist cultures
E- in collectivist cultures it is common for relationships to be arranged
L- filter theory suffers from imposed etic –> assumes the western way is universal

Question 17

describe an A03 point of the filter theory regarding supporting evidence

Answer 17

P- Kerckhoff and Davis carried out longitudinal study on 94 couples from uni
E- similarity between partners appeared to be related to ratings of closeness
E- couples in STR rated similarity as most important whereas couples in LTR rated complementarity of needs most important
L- supports filter theory as it shows evidence for a linear order of priorities

Question 18

what are some overall A03 points of the FIlter theory

Answer 18

• culture bound ❌
• supporting evidence –> Kerckhoff and Davis✅
• may be other explanations

Question 19

describe an A03 point of the Filter theory regarding other explanations

Answer 19

• matching hypothesis suggests we choose partner based on similar levels of physical attractiveness
• Walster and Walster
• involves self-assessing and focusing attention on ppl with similar level of a partner

Question 20

describe Self Disclosure

Answer 20

• Jourard suggested that relationship is built on trust demonstrated through gradual reveal of personal info
• leads to greater intimacy

Question 21

describe the Social Penetration Theory

Answer 21

• Altman and Taylor said it is the process of revealing your inner self
• displays trust
• relationship reaches stage where self-disclosure is welcomed and reciprocated

Question 22

what are the two dimensions of self-disclosure

Answer 22

• low risk information
• high risk information

Question 23

describe low risk information as a dimension of self-disclosure

Answer 23

• superficial, not deep
• breadth of info as it is narrow due to ‘off limits’ topics
• eg hobbies, work
• if we reveal too much too soon we may scare off potential partners

Question 24

describe high risk information as a dimension of self-disclosure

Answer 24

• as trust builds info shared becomes deeper
• self disclosure becomes more intimate
• eg difficult experiences

Question 25

what is an A03 point of self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 25

P- Research support by Laurenceau
E- asked pps to write diary entry about relationship[
E- found that self disclosure = intimacy
L- suggests self disclosure deepens feelings of attraction

HOWEVER - methodological issues –> diary entries may be biased or be socially sensitive
- may not be valid

Question 26

describe reciprocity as part of self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 26

• Reis and Shaver suggests it is a requisite feature of successful self disclosure
• reciprocal nature leads to greater intimacy

Question 27

what is an A03 point of Reciprocity as a factor affecting attraction

Answer 27

P- research support by Sprecher and Hendrick
E- found strong correlation between satisfaction and self disclosure in hetero relationships
E- found relationships more satisfying when it is reciprocated
L- increase validity of reciprocity as a factor affecting attraction