Interpersonal Processes Flashcards
Exam Preparation
What is interpersonal attraction?
The process that underpins affiliation (when people seek out the company of, and spend time with, others).
Why are we attracted to, or affiliate with, other people?
Because of the need to belong, which motivates us to be included (and avoid being excluded) by others.
What factors influence our attraction to others?
a) Proximity (being near to a person)
b) Reward (we affiliate with people we find rewarding)
c) Similarity, and
d) Physical attractiveness
Why is proximity important?
Being physically near a person facilitates familiarity, which in turn facilitates liking (affection/attraction).
Why does reward influence our attraction to others?
Reflects behaviourist principles of reward and punishment.
Similarity influences attraction because:
We affiliate with people who share our
a) attitudes, values and interests (it validates our world views), and
b) level of physical attractiveness (matching hypothesis).
Physical attractiveness influences attraction because
We tend to affiliate with physically attractive people because it is rewarding to associate with (and look at) them.
What are interpersonal processes?
Explores the impact that groups of people and social interactions have on the motives, emotions and behaviour of individual groups.
Interpersonal attractions underpins the experience of love. Two common ‘love’ theories are:
- Hatfield’s Theory - Passionate love/companionate love
2. Sternberg’s Theory - love triangle
Hatfield’s theory suggests:
There are two types of love:
a) Passionate love - wildly emotional, arousal and absorption in the other (falling in love and being in love), lasts about two years.
b) Companionate love - deep affection, friendship and emotional intimacy.
What are the three components of love in Sternberg’s ‘love triangle’ theory?
1) Intimacy - feelings of closeness
2) Passion - sexual arousal
3) Commitment - dedication to the other person and the relationship.
Combinations of these three components interact to generate eight types of love. When all three components are present it results in consumate love.
From an evolutionary perspective, what factors influence who women fall in love with?
Resources: females prefer males with more resources required to rear their offspring.
Age: Females prefer older males who are more likely to have more resources and maturity.
From an evolutionary perspective, what factors influence who men fall in love with?
Physical attractiveness: Males prefer attractuve females to elicit arousal and increase their status.
Age: Males prefer younger wimen because they are more likely to be fertile.
What is the ‘bystander effect’ according to Darley & Latante (1968)?
We are less likely to intervene if bystanders are present because there is diffusion of responsibility amongst all bystanders. If you are the only person available, you are more likely to help.
What are the three steps required before a person will help (in Darley & Latante’s theory)?
Step 1 - Notice the event
Step 2 - Decide if the event is an emergency
Step 3 - Assume responsibility to offer help in the event.
If any of these steps are not taken, a bystander will not intervene.
What is altruistic behaviour?
A form of prosocial behaviour without apparent gain, or even potential cost, to oneself.
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As genetic similarity to you decreases, the likelihood of helping decreases. Generally, you are more likely to help your sibling than your second cousin.
Altruism occurs when…
i) The benefits of helping (e.g feeling good about oneself or receiving reward) outweigh the costs of not helping (feeling guilty).
ii) There is sufficient empathy.
What is social influence?
It is how the presence of others can alter the way individuals think, feel and behave (basically the same as interpersonal processes).
Obedience is the main type of social influence and refers to…
Compliance with the orders of a perceived authority figure.
