Influence of culture on relationships

Question 1

Study for the importance of intimate relationships

Answer 1

Erikson (1968) - the establishment of an intimate relationship is an essential task of young adulthood, which if unsuccessful, may lead to social isolation

Question 2

Expressions of love in China

Answer 2

Ho (1988) - spontaneous expression of love, especially sex outside of marriage is not considered acceptable in Chinese society

Question 3

Culture and love (China and Australia)

Answer 3

Moore and Leung (2001) 212 Anglo-Autralian and 106 Chinese-Australian students studied.
61% of AA and 38% of CA in a romantic relationship
AA males were less romantic than females, but CA males were the same as females
both cultures were positive about the idea of love

Question 4

Whats the difference between individual and group-based relationships?

Answer 4

individualist - focus on the individual

collectivist - interpersonal relationships, more about family

Question 5

An example of differences in weddings?

Answer 5

Rashaidian culture - marriages between men as old as 50 and girls as young as 14

Question 6

Reasons for voluntary and non-voluntary relationships

Answer 6

Western - high degree of choice and bigger ‘pool’

Non-Western - low mobility so relationships with strangers are rare

Question 7

Evaluation for arranged marriages

Answer 7

Myers et al (2002) found no difference in satisfaction between arranged Indian marriages and US marriages

Question 8

Decrease in arranged marriages

Answer 8

China - decrease from 70% (1949) to 10% (1990s)

A study found women who married for love felt better about it than those who were in arranged marriages

Question 9

The importance of love in relationships?

Answer 9

Levine (1995) - love in 11 countries. ps were asked if they would marry someone they didn’t love
US - 14% yes
India - 24% yes
Thailand - 34% yes

Question 10

Culture and loneliness

Answer 10

Seepersad et al (2008) found in a sample of 227 single students US students reported more loneliness than Koreans

Question 11

Whats the theory of love being a universal evolutionary adaptation?

Answer 11

Pinker (1992) being in a long-term relationship promotes survival as it decreases mortality, increases happiness, and reduces stress

Question 12

Evidence for love being a universal evolutionary adaptation

Answer 12

Bartels and Zeki (2000) found a functionally specialised system that lights up during fMRI scans of the brains of people claiming to be in love

Question 13

Cultural bias?

Answer 13

The methodology of research may be interpreted differently across cultures