Interpersonal Attraction Flashcards
What predicts attraction?
- Propinquity,
- Similarity,
- Reciprocity, and
- Physical attractiveness
can predict attraction.
Propinquity Effect
The tendency to be more attracted to another with increased exposure and interaction, and is correlated with functional distance and mere exposure effect.
Mere Exposure Effect
The more exposure we have to a stimulus, the more apt we are to like it, provided initial liking is favourable.
Similarity
We like others who are believed to be similar to us in terms of demographics, attitudes, personality, interpersonal traits, genetics, physical appearance and social media status due to the desire to feel accurate and good.
Reciprocity
We like others whom we expect to like us in return, and this effect is a bigger predictor than attractiveness, due to self-fulfilling prophecy. However, self-verification in persons with low self-esteem may undermine this effect.
Physical Attractiveness
(Cunningham 1986)
Across cultures, we value physical attractiveness over all other traits. Physical traits include symmetry, averagely sized features and familiarity. This may result in Halo Effect.
Halo Effect
(Synder, Tanke & Berscheid’s 1977 phone conversation experiment)
What is beautiful is good: Cognitive bias by which we tend to assume that an individual with one positive characteristic also possesses other unrelated positive characteristic.
Types of Relationships
(Clark & Mills 1993)
- Exchange Relationship, and
- Communal Relationships.
Exchange Relationships
Exchange Relationships between new acquaintances are characterised by equity concerns, and the relevant symptoms are:
- We like to be repaid immediately for our favours.
- We feel exploited when our favours are not returned.
- We keep track of who is contributing what to the relationship.
- Being able to help the person has no effect on our mood.
Communal Relationships
Communal Relationships in long term interactions between close friends, family members and partners are characterised by responsiveness to the others’ needs, and the symptoms are:
- We do not like to be repaid immediately for our favours.
- We do not feel exploited when our favours are not repaid.
- We do not keep track of who is contributing to the relationship.
- Being able to help the person puts us in a good mood.
Defining Love
Definitions of love are suggested by
- Sternberg’s 1986 Triangular Theory of Love, and
- Bowlby’s 1969 and Ainsworth’s 1978 Attachment Styles
What leads to close relationships?
Close relationships can be explained by the following:
- Social Exchange Theory,
- Investment Model,
- Equity Theory, and
- Evolutionary Factors.
Social Exchange Theory
People’s feelings about a relationship depend on
- Their direct comparison of perceived costs and rewards,
- Comparison Level, and
- Comparison Level for Alternatives.
Comparison Level
Expectations about the level of rewards and costs they are likely to receive in a particular relationship, ie the kind of relationship they deserve.
Comparison Level for Alternatives
Expectations about the level of rewards and costs they would receive in an alternative relationship, eg. plenty of fish in the sea.
Investment Model
People’s commitment to a relationship depends on
- Satisfaction based on Social Exchange Theory,
- Investment, and
- Quality of real alternatives.
Equity Theory
We are happiest with relationships in which the rewards and costs experienced by both parties are roughly equal, as equity is a powerful social norm.
Evolutionary Factors
Sex differences can be explained by evolutionary mate selection, where
- Females seek males who can supply economic resources needed for child-raising, and
- Males seek females who appear capable of reproducing successfully based on physical appearance.
Dissolving Relationships
(Duck 1982) The four stages are 1. Interpersonal Phase 2. Dyadic Phase 3. Social Phase, and 4. Interpersonal Phase.
Interpersonal Phase
Initial dissatisfaction with the relationship will reach the threshold of Interpersonal Phase and these actions are undertaken:
- Focus on partner’s behaviour
- Assess adequacy of partner’s behaviour
- Depict and evaluate negative aspects of being in the relationship
- Consider costs of withdrawal
- Assess positive aspects of alternative relationships
- Face the express my thoughts/repress my thoughts dilemma
Dyadic Phase
- Face the confront the issue/avoid the issue dilemma
- Confront partner
- Negotiate and discuss relationship
- Attempt repair of relationship and reconciliation
- Assess costs of withdrawal or reduced intimacy for both partners
Social Phase
- Negotiate post breakup state with partner
- Initiate gossip / discussion among friends, family and others
- Create public face-saving / blame-placing stories and accounts
- Consider and face up to reactions of friends, family and others
- Call in intervention teams
Interpersonal Phase
- Engage in getting over it activity
- Engage in retrospection
- Publicly distribute own version of breakup story
Why do relationships end?
Relationships may end because of
- Underestimation of the importance of similarity
- Lack of or contempt communication during conflict resolution,
- Destructive behaviour, active harming of relationship and allowing relationship to deteriorate.
What factors affect post-breakup experience?
- The role people played in the decision is the most powerful predictor, where breakees were the most upset and negative.
- Gender, where women are more negative. Women may also want to be platonic post-breakup, depending on rates of satisfaction and investment during the relationship.
