Formation

Question 1

Name the two theories (and their psychologists) which explain formation.

Answer 1

• Matching Hypothosis (Walster et al.)
• Reward/Need Satisfaction Theory (Byrne and Clore/Argyle)

Question 2

What is the basic premise of Matching Hypothesis?

Answer 2

We will be naturally drawn to people who are equally as attractive as we are.

Question 3

Why do we not go after someone less attractive? matching hypothesis

Answer 3

Don’t want ugly offspring. Don’t want others to judge us - social status.

Question 4

Why don’t we go for people more attractive? matching hypothesis

Answer 4

Insecure/Uncertain of their love. Casually jealous. Fear of rejection.

Question 5

Which main piece of research supports Matching Hypothesis and give details of findings and conclusion.

Answer 5

• Walster and Walster’s ‘Computer Dance Experiment’.
• computer assigned couples for dance
• saw each other before dance and were asked whether they wanted to see each other again
• most likely predictor was how similarly attractive they were (physical attractiveness rating)
• equally attractive most likely to want to take relationship further
• 6 months later those who were still seeing each other were the most similarly attractive
• supports matching hypothesis as given time to reflect we realistically asses doing the best we can over fear of rejection.
• (note in initial study they went straight to dance and those with most attractive date, regardless of own attractiveness, were most happy with partner supporting evolutionary theory)

Question 6

Further research for Matching Hypothesis?

Answer 6

Murstein found that real life couples were rated as more similarly attractive to each other than they were to others by independent judges.

Question 7

CRITICISM MATCHING HYPOTHESIS: doesn’t take into account individual differences - explain!

Answer 7

• SELF-ESTEEM: if high self-esteem you will not think anyone too attractive for you. If low you will think you can only attract less attractive people.
• TOWHEY’S ‘MACHO’ MEN: men who score highly on ‘macho scale’ were likely to go for the most physically attractive partners.

Question 8

What wider issues are relevant to Matching Hypothesis?

Answer 8

• SOCIALLY SENSITIVE as it implies that we are very shallow. Fails to explain blind relationships and internet relationships.
• ETHNOCENTRIC as assumes relationships are voluntary whereas in non-western cultures many relationships are arranged so these theories are irrelevant.

Question 9

Which psychological approach does reward/need satisfaction theory come from?

Answer 9

behavioural apporach

Question 10

Basic premise of reward/need satisfaction?

Answer 10

If a relationship is rewarding then we will continue with it and pursue it (operant conditioning).

Question 11

What did Argyle suggest? RNS

Answer 11

Humans have 7 basic needs that drive our social behaviour. Everything we do is an attempt to meet these needs. Therefore, we form relationships with people who are most able to meet these needs.

Question 12

Name all of Argyle’s 7 needs. RNS

Answer 12

• Biological (social eating),
• Affiliation,
• Dependency,
• Dominance,
• Sex,
• Aggression,
• Self-Esteem

Question 13

Are everyone’s needs the same? RNS

Answer 13

No! Each partner may need something different depending on other aspects of their lives where other needs are fulfilled. Each partner can therefore have a different role in the relationship and can be ‘complementary’ to each other. MARKEY found people more satisfied with relationship if their partners differed from them at least in terms of dominance,

Question 14

How can classical conditional explain formation? RNS

Answer 14

ATTRACTION THROUGH ASSOCIATION - potential partners seem more attractive if we link them with a positive experience/feeling. Explains holiday romances!

Question 15

Supporting research for RNS theory comes from?

Answer 15

CATE ET AL: 337 self report questionaire measure how satisfied they were and how rewarding relationship was. STRONG POSITIVE CORRELATION.

Question 16

Can you critique Cate et al’s research?

Answer 16

Self-report techniques lead to socially-desirable answers because they want to be seen in a good light and they may not want to admit to themselves that their relationship isn’t working.

Question 17

Practical applications of RNS?

Answer 17

Couples can asses the quality of their relationships (ie, which needs aren’t being met) to make positive changes and keep people together.

Question 18

Wider issues of RNS?

Answer 18

• SOCIALLY SENSITIVE as it suggests that our behaviour is briven by our personal needs and happiness which makes us sound selfish.
• ETHNOCENTRIC as whilst Western cultures focus on personal happiness and self-actualisation, non-Western cultures have a greater focus on the well-being of the community which means we cannot apply RNS to other cultures.