Interpersonal Relationships Flashcards
What are the 4 hypotheses of attraction proposed by Krueger & Caspi (1993)?
Similarity hypothesis
Ideal partner hypothesis
Repulsion hypothesis
Optimal dissimilarity hypothesis
What is the similarity hypothesis?
People are attracted to those with similar personalities & attitudes - qualities decrease over time
Attraction is higher when individuals match personal ideals
Rushton (1989) - genetic similarity plays a role
Byrne (1971) - reciprocal liking strengthens attraction
What is the ideal partner hypothesis?
People seek partners who possess ideal traits
Attraction is higher when individuals match personal ideals - influence partner choice (Buss & Barnes, 1986)
Kenrick & Keefe (1992) - gender differences in ideal preferences (men = younger women, women = older men)
What is the repulsion hypothesis?
Dissimilarity leads to active avoidance
Rosenbaum (1986) - dissimilar individuals are eliminated first
Emphasise rejection of dissimilarity over selection of similarity
What is the optimal dissimilarity hypothesis?
Slight differences may be attractive
Novelty in moderate dissimilarity (Berliner, 1967)
Excessive dissimilarity leads to challenges in understanding
What are the evaluation points for Krueger & Caspi (1993)?
Insight into individual differences
Study only look at women - found no evidence for optimal dissimilarity
What is fatal attraction (Felmlee, 1995)?
Traits initially attractive may later cause relationship dissatisfaction
Common ones include nice to passive (frustration), strong to suborn (inflexibility), funny to flaky (immature), outgoing to over-the-top & caring to clingy
What is Sternberg’s triangular love theory?
3 concepts
Intimacy (emotional closeness & connection)
Passion (romance & physical attraction)
Commitment (cognitive decision to maintain relationship
Combine to form 7 love styles
What are Sternberg’s 7 love styles?
Liking/ friendship (I)
Companionate love (I&C)
Empty love (C)
Fatuous love (P&C)
Infatuation (P)
Romantic love (I&P)
Consummate love (I&C&P)
What is Lee’s love styles?
Love styles compared to primary & secondary colours
What are the primary styles?
Eros - passionate, physical attraction
Ludus - game-playing, non-committal
Storge - friendship based love, built on trust & respect
What are the secondary styles?
Formed by mixing primary styles
Pragma (Storge & Ludus) - practical, logical love
Mania (Eros & Ludus) - obsessive, jealous love (desperate for attention, lack self confidence)
Agape (Eros & Storge) - altruistic, selflessness love (don’t expect anything in return)
What is Rusbults ELVN model?
Relationships end through a range of active/ passive & constructive/ destructive strategies
Response shaped by satisfaction levels, investment in relationships & quality of alternatives
Higher satisfaction & investment promote constructive strategies (V,L) while high-quality alterantaives may drive active responses (E,V)
What are the 4 exit strategies in Rosbults model?
Exit - active, destructive (e.g. ending relationship)
Voice - active, constructive (e.g. discussing problems)
Loyalty - passive, constructive (e.g. waiting for improvement)
Neglect - passive, destructive (e.g. ignoring problems)
What is Baxter’s expectation & strategies for relationship dissolution?
Dissolution occurs when unmet expectations persist over time
Key expectations include autonomy, similarity, emotional support, loyalty, honesty, time together, equity & maintaining spark
What are the different strategies in Baxter’s model?
Direct - open discussion (e.g. do you think this is working?) & clear declarations (e.g. mutual agreement to end)
Indirect strategies - avoidance behaviour (pseudo-de-escalations), passive-aggressive/ cost-escalation strategies, gradual distancing
Echoes Rusbults active (direct) vs passive (indirect) framing
What are the stages of Ducks phase model?
Intrapsychic phase - internal dissatisfaction on partners flaws
Dyadic phase - open confrontation & discussion of issues
Social phase - public acknowledgement of break up, seek social support
Grave-dressing phase - post-relationship narrative creation, preparing for untrue relationships
What is Ducks phase model of relationship dissolution?
Break-ups occur in stages, triggered by psychological thresholds
Describes entire process, not just initiation & suggests intervention for repairs at different stages
How can we integrate theories?
Many converge on satisfaction, investment & alternatives as key drivers of breakups
Distinction between active vs passive/ constructive vs destructive is a recurring framework
Role of emotional factors & communication is central to understanding dissolution triggers
