Flirting

Question 1

According to Darwin, which sex initiates flirting?

Answer 1

females

Question 2

Gaze

Answer 2

-men and women will look at each other for 2-3 seconds and their pupils will dilate
- a gaze may lead to a response
- before a response, the person being gazed at may engage in displacement gestures
- if a gaze is returned it may be a sign of interest

Question 3

Displacement Gesture

Answer 3

movements that displace nervous energy and alleviate anxiety
Ex: picking at lint on clothing or twirling hair

Question 4

How do men try to attract the attention of the person they’re interested in? Women?

Answer 4

Men: may shift from foot to foot, laugh loudly, stretch, adjust clothes
Female: might place themselves in their line of sight, smiling, stretching, adjusting clothes, coy looks,

Question 5

According to Darwin, nonverbal cues in flirting resorted to …

Answer 5

submissive displays
Ex: palm-up placement of the hand, shoulder shrug signifying helplessness, tilted neck to display vulnerability

Question 6

Why are women more selective when it comes to reproduction?

Answer 6

• limited number of eggs
• must carry the child for a long period of time

Question 7

What do women look for when being selective about reproduction?

Answer 7

Good physical appearance, good behavior, and good resources (will commit time to raising the children)

Question 8

How do women test for good behavior and commitment?

Answer 8

Coyness
- coyness not seen in species that don’t need a male to raise offspring
-coyness displayed in species through courtship dances and through promise-withdrawal
- a species will get into a mating position and then withdrawal as the male approaches
-in humans, the promise-withdrawal is a coy glance (the promise is the glance, withdrawal would be something like talking to friends)

Question 9

Coy

Answer 9

making a pretense of shyness that is intended to be alluring

Question 10

Phatic Communication:

Answer 10

communication to open up a channel of communication
-Ex: mentioning the weather opens up communication
-engaging in small talk

Question 11

Why is small talk important?

Answer 11

Small talk allows you to make a connection while maintaining your balance and giving you a better idea of what the person is like

Question 12

Who will usually initiate the first touch?

Answer 12

Females
-perhaps a minimal grooming gesture such as removing a piece of lint from his jacket

Question 13

What component is crucial for touch when flirting?

Answer 13

Reciprocity
-if the movement is mimicked by the other person it is a sign of interest
-can lead to body synchrony

Question 14

Body Synchrony

Answer 14

when bodies are mirroring each other
Ex: both leaning in, crossing legs
-subconscious

Question 15

Kinesics

Answer 15

anything related to our bodies

Question 16

Body language to stave people off

Answer 16

stiff jaw, clenched fist, cold shoulder

Question 17

Examples of gestures that invite the other into their space include…

Answer 17

tilting your head towards the other, reaching for something near them, softening your voice so the other has to move in
-if uncomfortable they may pull back or make a defensive move
-accepting the gesture would mean open to intimacy

Question 18

How is corroboration important for eyes when flirting?

Answer 18

Corroboration: support with additional proof
-repeating a glance to signal that she understood his glance as flirting after she returned it back

Question 19

In what ways can eyes be problematic?

Answer 19

staring can objectify someone, glaring can express aggression, winking, using eyes to explore below the neck

Question 20

Which sex is better at interpreting flirting cues?

Answer 20

Females

Question 21

What are the differences in how males and females approach if interested in sexual contact?

Answer 21

-women tend to use direct approaches if interested in sexual contact
-men who use more romantic gestures are more likely to lead to sexual contact