Formation Flashcards

1
Q

Name the 3 theories/models for the formation of relationships

A

1) Reward/need satisfaction theory
2) Filter theory
3) Similarity theory

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2
Q

Who came up with the reward/need satisfaction theory?

A

Byrne & Clore (1970)

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3
Q

Outline the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

People are attracted to those they find rewarding to be with as they meet an unmet need and the relationship will succeed if the positives outweigh the negatives

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4
Q

Name 2 unmet needs in the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

1) Need for company

2) Financial security

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5
Q

When does mutual attraction occur according to the reward/need satisfaction theory?

A

When each partner meets each other’s needs

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6
Q

Which theory/model for the formation of relationships is based on operant and classical conditioning?

A

Reward/need satisfaction theory

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7
Q

What is operant conditioning?

A

Learning through rewards and punishments or learning by consequences

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8
Q

Explain the role of operant conditioning in the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

We repeat behaviour that leads to a desirable outcome and avoid behaviour that leads to an undesirable outcome - so we like people who directly reward us so more likely to enter a relationship with an individual who reinforces desirable outcomes as they seem more attractive

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9
Q

Name 3 rewards of the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

1) Being friendly
2) Smiling
3) Generally acting positively towards us

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10
Q

What is classical conditioning?

A

Learning by association

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11
Q

Explain the role of classical conditioning in the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

We like people who indirectly reward us by being nearby when we feel good or associated with pleasant events - even if they are not directly involved, we associate them with the good feeling - neutral stimulus becomes positively valued with positive mood (unconditioned stimulus)

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12
Q

Name 5 research studies supporting the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

1) Veitch & Griffitt (1976)
2) Cunningham (1988)
3) May & Hamilton (1980)
4) Dutton & Aron (1974)
5) Griffitt & Guay (1969)

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13
Q

Outline Veitch & Griffitt (1976)

A

Put ppts in a room and they heard either good or bad news with stranger present and then they were asked to rate the stranger’s looks and found the ppts who were given good news rated more highly

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14
Q

What did Duck say about stranger methods for the reward/need satisfaction theory?

A

He criticised the bogus stranger methods for being artificial

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15
Q

Outline Cunningham (1988)

A

Males were watching happy or sad films and then they interacted with a female and found those who watched the happy film had more positive interaction with the female

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16
Q

Outline May & Hamilton (1980)

A

Females were asked to rate photos of males with either pleasant or unpleasant music being played and they found pleasant music rated higher

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17
Q

Outline Dutton & Aron (1974)

A

An attractive female student carried out a questionnaire to men either on a low, stable road bridge or a high, unstable suspension bridge and then she gave them her phone number after - they found the high bridge group more likely to call her as they were aroused more and so labelled her as attractive

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18
Q

Outline Griffitt & Guay (1969) - the 2 parts of the experiment

A

Ppts were evaluated on a task by an experimenter and were asked how much they liked the experimenter after - the rating was higher when the experimenter positively evaluated so their liking depended on the extent of direct reinforcement and thus made them feel happy - they were then asked to rate an onlooker and found they rated higher when positively evaluated so their liking depended on the situation they were associated with

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19
Q

What does Griffitt & Guay (1969) show for the reward/need satisfaction theory?

A

It supports the role of reinforcement or classical conditioning

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20
Q

Name and explain one negative point about Griffitt & Guay (1969)

A

Low external validity as artificial conditions so difficult to generalise as physical attraction not considered

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21
Q

Name 5 positive evaluative points for the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

1) Evidence support
2) Face validity as supported by everyday experiences
3) Accounts for research findings
4) Cate (1982)
5) Caspi & Herbener (1990)

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22
Q

Explain how the reward/need satisfaction theory accounts for research findings

A

It can explain why factors like proximity, similarity, and physical attractiveness are important factors

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23
Q

Outline Cate (1982)

A

Asked 337 individuals to assess their current relationships in terms of reward level and satisfaction and they found reward level is superior to all other factors in determining satisfaction

24
Q

Name 6 negative evaluative points for the reward/need satisfaction theory

A

1) Only explores receiving rewards
2) Deterministic
3) Reductionist
4) Gender & cultural differences
5) Lab based research
6) Methodology

25
Q

What is the study regarding the reward/need satisfaction theory only exploring receiving rewards?

A

Hays (1985)

26
Q

Outline Hays (1985)

A

Found in student relationships, as much value is attached to rewarding others as gaining rewards

27
Q

Explain how the reward/need satisfaction theory is deterministic

A

It assumes people are selfish and are only concerned about the reinforcements received - Hays (1985)

28
Q

Explain how the reward/need satisfaction theory is reductionist

A

Rewards are not the sole factor in the formation of relationship - for example abusive relationships

29
Q

What study shows the gender and cultural differences in the reward/need satisfaction theory?

A

Lott (1994)

30
Q

Outline Lott (1994)

A

Shown in many cultures that women are socialised into being more attentive to the needs of others rather than their own

31
Q

Outline Caspi & Herbener (1990)

A

Found support of the reward/need satisfaction theory in real-life couples

32
Q

Explain why lab based research for the reward/need satisfaction theory is negative

A

Low ecological validity and so cannot generalise

33
Q

Explain the methodology of the reward/need satisfaction theory and why it is a negative

A

Some research heavily depends on ‘bogus stranger’ studies which are highly artificial and are unlikely to represent the way we meet people in real life so lacks external validity as may not generalise well to real-life relationships

34
Q

Who came up with the filter theory?

A

Kerckhoff & Davis (1962)

35
Q

Outline the filter theory for the formation of relationships

A

It proposes that relationships develop through different filters and states that different factors are important at different times - there are ‘fields of availables’ which mean those that apply to these fields are the people available to the individual for a relationship

36
Q

What is the first filter of the filter theory?

A

Social/demographic variables

37
Q

Name the 4 aspects of the first filter of the filter theory

A

1) Both similar
2) Live in the same area
3) Have similar education
4) Similar social class

38
Q

What is the second filter of the filter theory?

A

Similar attitudes and values

39
Q

Name the 3 aspects of the second filter of the filter theory

A

1) Share ideas and beliefs
2) Communication is easy
3) Any different attitudes are filtered out

40
Q

How many filters are there to the filter theory of the formation of relationships?

A

3

41
Q

What is the third filter of the filter theory?

A

Complementary of emotional needs

42
Q

Name the 3 aspects of the third filter of the filter theory

A

1) Relationship established
2) How well fit together as a couple
3) Meet each other’s needs

43
Q

What is the main supporting study of the filter model?

A

Kerckhoff & Davis (1962)

44
Q

Outline Kerckhoff & Davis (1962)

A

Longitudinal study of student couples together for more or less than 18 months and were asked to report attitude similarity and personality traits with their partners - they found that attitude similarity was most important factor in the first 18 months - after 18 months, found psychological and emotional compatibility more important

45
Q

What does Kerckhoff & David (1962) suggest for the filter theory?

A

The filter model has external validity as it was conducted on real life couples

46
Q

What is a big drawback of Kerckhoff & Davis (1962)?

A

It was only conducted on students who may not be interested in developing a committed relationship as older adults who may filter emotional compatibility at a much earlier stage

47
Q

What is the main negative point about the filter theory?

A

The fact that similarity of social variables is only an initial filter has been opposed

48
Q

Who opposed that similarity of social variables is only an initial filter in the filter theory?

A

Sprecher (1998)

49
Q

Outline Sprecher (1998)

A

Found that couples who match in physical attractiveness and social background are more likely to develop a long term relationship - suggesting social factors are not only important in initial attraction but also help t determine the longevity of the relationship

50
Q

Name the 2 studies supporting Sprecher (1998)

A

1) Waister (1966)

2) Gruber-Badini (1995)

51
Q

Outline Waister (1966)

A

Argued if couples mismatched, the less attractive partner may feel insecure placing an excessive strain on the relationship and thus jeopardises the long term success

52
Q

Outline Gruber-Badini (1995)

A

Found couples of similar age and educational background at the start are more likely to stay together

53
Q

Name 2 general negative evaluative points for the formation of relationships

A

1) Lacks mundane realism

2) Culturally biased

54
Q

Explain how theories/models relating to the formation of relationships lack mundane realism

A

Most are lab experiments and so do not necessarily apply to real life - but Caspi & Herbener (1990) conducted on real-life couples and tended to support

55
Q

Explain how theories/models relating to the formation of relationships are culturally biased

A

The reward/need satisfaction theory does not account for cultural and gender differences - Lott (1994) - hence suggests theory is not a universal explanation of formation and is culturally biased