factors affecting relationships Flashcards
what are the main factors affecting relationships
- physical attractiveness
- filter theory
- self-disclosure
describe the matching hypothesis as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction
- 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
why is the matching hypothesis important
- 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
describe ‘realistic choices’ in regards to the matching hypothesis
ppl must consider different factors such as their ideal choice and whether it is reciprocated by other people
describe an A03 point of matching hypothesis
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
describe the Halo effect as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction
- 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
describe an A03 point of the Halo Effect
P- supporting evidence comes from Palmer and Peterson
E- pps rated how competent 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
describe Evolution as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction
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
describe an A03 point of Evolution as a part of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction
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
what is an A03 point of physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attraction
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
describe the Filter Theory as a factor affecting attraction
- 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
describe Sociodemographic as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory
- 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
what is an A03 point of Sociodemographic as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory
P- may be less relevant
E- technology means relationships can be online
E- lacks temporal validity as it need to consider modern dating methods
describe Similarity of attitudes as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory
- 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
describe Complementarity of Needs as a sub-filter of the Filter Theory
- 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
describe an A03 point of the Filter theory regarding issues and debates
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
describe an A03 point of the filter theory regarding supporting evidence
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
what are some overall A03 points of the FIlter theory
- culture bound ❌
- supporting evidence –> Kerckhoff and Davis✅
- may be other explanations
describe an A03 point of the Filter theory regarding other explanations
- 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
describe Self Disclosure
- Jourard suggested that relationship is built on trust demonstrated through gradual reveal of personal info
- leads to greater intimacy
describe the Social Penetration Theory
- 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
what are the two dimensions of self-disclosure
- low risk information
- high risk information
describe low risk information as a dimension of self-disclosure
- 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
describe high risk information as a dimension of self-disclosure
- as trust builds info shared becomes deeper
- self disclosure becomes more intimate
- eg difficult experiences
what is an A03 point of self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction
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
describe reciprocity as part of self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction
- Reis and Shaver suggests it is a requisite feature of successful self disclosure
- reciprocal nature leads to greater intimacy
what is an A03 point of Reciprocity as a factor affecting attraction
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
