HL - Personal Relationships Theories

Question 1

Reciprocity

Answer 1

• This states that we like those who like us.
• People who like us validate us and the choices we have made in constructing a self-image
• When people are welcomed into a group they are more attracted to that group
• Reciprocity also increases over time, the more you like me the more I like you <3

Question 2

Familiarity

Answer 2

• Zajonc and Mauire 1968
• We like things that we see repetitively.
• The more we see an object/face, the more we like it
• This theory has implications for advertising and political messages, as well as interpersonal relationships

Question 3

Attraction Similarity Model

Answer 3

• States that we are attracted to those that we perceive to be similar to ourselves
• We tend to feel attracted to someone similar in physical traits, personality, attitudes and beliefs
• The more we are attracted to someone we believe that this person is similar to us (Morry 2005)

Question 4

Matching Hypothesis

Answer 4

• This predicts that individuals will assess their own attractiveness or social desirability and select partners who match their levels in these areas

Question 5

Mere Exposure Effect

Answer 5

• A psychological phenomenon where people tend to develop a preference for things simply bc they are familiar
• The more we are exposed to something the more we like it (familiarity effect)

Question 6

Social Penetration Theory

Answer 6

• states that as relationships develop, communication moves from relatively shallow, nonintimate levels to deeper, more personal ones.

Question 7

Attribution Style

Answer 7

• In a healthy relationship, couples will have a positive bias towards each other.
• Attributes are valued → He always works so hard (positive)
• However if there are negative styles that can damage the relationship → He works too much (negative)
  -Parents & children in distressed families tend to blame each other for negative behaviors
• There are different perspectives about attribution style - some say it depends more on personality while others say it depends more on circumstances

Question 8

Patterns of Accomodation

Answer 8

• Accommodation is when positive, constructive strategies are used to maintain a relationship
• Rusbult and Zembrodt (1983) conducted a series of studies to identify common responses to dissatisfaction in relationships amongst uni undergraduates
• 50 students were asked to write an essay about a time in their lives where they were dissatisfied in a relationship
• They identified 4 main strategies - exit, voice, loyalty, neglect

Question 9

Gottman’s Four Horsemen

Answer 9

• Four negative elements that can predict divorce
• Criticism - A statement that attacks the character of a person
• Contempt - Treating someone with disrespect or mocking sarcasm (first vindicator of divorce)
• Defensiveness - One plays the victims role and claims to be under attack for no reason
• Stonewalling - A listener withdraws from a conversation, the listener shuts down and refuses to communicate

Question 10

Knapp and Vangelisti model

Answer 10

• Created a model of change in relationships
• It shows 2 main stages → growth and breakdown
• Initiation - Where we get out initial impressions (which can be wrong)
• Experimenting - Each individual starts exploring characteristics of the other
• Intensifying - Where friendship begins, personal disclosure increases
• Integrating - Intimacy continues to increase, close friendships or romantic associations begin
• Bonding - Normally the first public stage of a relationship. Significant commitments are made, mutually assured and recognized

Question 11

Rollie and Duck model

Answer 11

• 5 stage model for relationship deterioration
• Intrapsychic - Realizing internal unhappiness with a relationship
• Dyadic - Dissatisfaction is expressed to the partner
• Social - Problems are shared with a wider community
• Grave Dressing - Recovering from the ending of a relationship, justifying your decision
• Resurrection - A ‘new person’ emerges from the end of a relationship

Question 12

Patterns of Accommodation - Exit

Answer 12

• To acknowledge dissatisfaction and actively work to end the relationship

Question 13

Patterns of Accommodation - Voice

Answer 13

• To acknowledge dissatisfaction and actively attempt to improve the situation

Question 14

Patterns of Accommodation - Loyalty

Answer 14

• To not acknowledge the situation and wait passively for the situation to improve

Question 15

Patterns of Accommodation - Neglect

Answer 15

• To not necessarily acknowledge the dissatisfaction and passively allow the relationship to deteriorate