Friendship and Love

Question 1

What is social penetration theory? (Altman & Taylor 1973)

Answer 1

Says that the role of self-disclosure is voluntarily sharing personal information with another person.

4 levels: Superficial, intimate, personal and core

Question 2

What are the 4 stages of social penetration?

Answer 2

Orientation - superficial information, cautious and careful
Exploratory Affective exchange - Less cautious, more breadth of topics but limited to public self
Affective exchange - some private or intimate information
Stable exchange - openness, most intimate information, only for closest relationships

Question 3

What are main limitations of social penetration theory?

Answer 3

Limited in scope - doesn’t apply to co-workers, neighbours etc
Doesn’t explain established relationships
Disclosure may be nonlinear
Individual differences not considered
cultural differences not considered

Question 4

What is the social exchange framework?

Answer 4

Looks at role of costs and rewards in development of relationships

Suggests costs of superficial self-disclosure should be minimal when they are infrequent and balanced with the rewards

Question 5

What characteristics are unique to male same gender relationships?

Answer 5

Greater value is placed on instrumental or agentic characteristics
Higher risk of low-quality friendships
Increased homophobia

Question 6

What characteristics are unique to female same gender relationships?

Answer 6

Increased communion and self-disclosure
Greater effort and expectation
Increased risk of co-rumination

Question 7

What are the commonalities of same gender relationships?

Answer 7

Symmetrical reciprocity - loyalty, mutual regard, support and trustworthiness
Inclusion and mutual activities
Geographic or physical proximity
Similarity between friends

Question 8

What is the colour of love theory?

Answer 8

There are 6 types of love - primary colours / types of love combine to make secondary types of love

Question 9

What are the 6 types of love explained in colours of love theory?

Answer 9

Romance (Red) - Eros, Loving an ideal person
Friendship (Yellow) - Storge, Love as friendship
Conquest (Blue) - Ludos, Love as a game
Obsession (Purple) - Mania, Obsessive love
Selflessness (Orange) - Agape, Selfless love
Practicality (Green) - Pragma, Realistic and practical love

Question 10

What is the Triangular Theory of Love?

Answer 10

Suggests there are three basic elements of love which combine to make 7 types of love:
Passion - sexual desire and physical attraction
Intimacy - connection and feelings of closeness
Commitment - to love in short term, to maintain love in the long term

Question 11

What is passionate love and the 3 factor passionate love theory?

Answer 11

A state of intense longing and desire for another person involving very intense emotions.

3 factors of theory:
Meeting a suitable partner
Attributing physiological arousal to the presence of the partner
Understanding and accepting the concept of love

Question 12

What is comapanionate love?

Answer 12

Love based on friendly affection and deep attachment due to extensive familiarity.

Replaces and is more enduring than passionate love

Question 13

What are the 6 factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction?

Answer 13

Social exchange
Equity
Interpretation
Social comparison
Social networks
Attachment

Question 14

How does interpretation contribute to relationship satisfaction?

Answer 14

People in happy and unhappy relationships interpret partners behaviour differently:
Happy relationship - problems blamed on self, partner given credit for solving problem
Unhappy relationship - people blame problem on partner, partners behaviour seen as affecting other aspects of relationship

Question 15

What is attachment theory?

Answer 15

Attachment style to primary caregiver predicts attachment style in close relationships.

Those with secure attachment style tend to have longer relationships, experience companionate love and are preferred as partners

Question 16

What is the investment model?

Answer 16

Three factors predict commitment to a relationship:
High satisfaction in current relationship
Investment size
Quality of alternatives

Individuals in happy relationships engage in relationship protecting behaviours

Question 17

What are the 4 stages of the dissolution model?

Answer 17

Intrapsychic phase - partner thinks about problems and conducts cost benefit analysis
Dyadic phase - decision is made that something must be done, leads to negotiation, reconciliation or more arguments
Social phase - accepted relationship is ending and both partners turn to friends for support
Grave dressing phase - may involve division of property and access to children

Question 18

What are the 3 main characteristics that predict the impact of relationship break down?

Answer 18

Avoidant attachment style - increased anger and sadness following break up
Partner initiated break-up - increased depression, anxiety and takes longer to get over
Higher rejection sensitivity - associated with depression after a break up