Interpersonal relationships Flashcards
what is interpersonal attraction?
the attraction between people that leads to the development of friendships or intimate relationships.
What factors determine the instant liking or dislike of someone?
- Physical factors: appearance, proximity.
- Psychological factors: attitude similarity, mutual liking.
- Mutual disclosure.
Does physical attraction matter to men? Cite studies to back up your point.
Yes, Feingold (1990) states that male often value attractiveness in opposite sex relationships than females.
- Additionally, Feingold (1992) states that those who are physically attractive are viewed as more successful in life, psychology wellbeing, and social skills.
How does physical attraction determine romantic relationships? Cite a study to back up your point.
Berscheid et al. (1971) supports the matching phenomenon, which is that both men and women choose partners that they deem are on the same wavelength of physical attractiveness as them.
What are the benefits of being physically attractive? What is this called? Cite a study to back up your claims.
- more successful in their jobs.
- liked more by others.
- physically healthier.
- hold more traditional values.
- have more self-confidence and self-esteem.
Langlois et al. (2000)
They are evaluated more highly on their essays if they are female (Landy & Sigali, 1974).
Physical attraction stereotype: the assumption that attractive people possess desirable traits.
How does proximity increase mutual liking?
Proximity allows for ease of accessibility and opportunity for interaction.
Give an example where proximity resulted in mutual liking. Cite studies.
Festinger et al. (1950): people were more likely to choose friends who lived in the same building, or even those living on the same floor.
Darley and Berscheid (1967): merely anticipating interaction with someone increases liking.
What is the mere-exposure effect? Give an example by citing a study.
The more people were exposed to something/someone, the more they liked them (Zajonc, 2004).
Moreland and Beach (1992): female students who appeared more frequently were deemed as attractive.
How does similarity and complementary personalities boost liking?
- the more similar a person’s attitude is to your own, the more you will like them (Myers, 1999).
- vice versa can be said, the more different someone is to you, the less you will like them.
Give an example of similarity of attitudes coming to play with developing attraction.
Byrne and Clore (1974) found a positive correlation between similar personalities and increased attraction.
However, Clore (1976) argues that this is because of a reinforcement principle of agreement which causes the other to like them back because they like us.
What evaluations can be said about complementary relationships?
- there is a lack of research evidence, especially longitude ones.
- complementary personalities may evolve as the relationship progresses.
- overall, people are more prone to like those whose needs and personalities are similar to their own (Botwin et al., 1997).
Give examples of the Reciprocity Principle. Cite study.
Dittes and Kelley (1956) placed participants in a group in which they were told either liked them or didnt like them.
- participants who were told they were liked would be more attracted to the group than those who were told they were disliked.
additionally, this can be affected by self-esteem as when individuals have low self-esteem, they tend to rely more on those who like them.
What is Mutual Self-Disclosure and how does this help increase liking?
The sharing of intimate feelings and information. We disclose to:
- those we like.
- those who disclose to us.
- enables trust in relationships.
What are some theories of attraction?
Reinforcement model of attraction: we like people who reinforce the positive in us.
Reinforcement affect model: we also like people who are present when are reinforced- they become associated to the positive feelings that come with positive reinforcement.
What is the social exchange theory?
the perception of how individuals view the relationship; their decisions of that relationship will be based on the cost and rewards.
- what do they gain?
- is that the relationship they deserve?
- what are the chances of having a better relationship with someone else?
Cost-reward ratio: balancing the costs and rewards.
