Lecture 12 Flashcards
Love - Sternberg’s Triangular Theory
Love associated with diff. behav and cognitions 3 elements of love 1. intimacy (liking) - closeness, connectedness, bond - not always sexual 2. Passion (infatuation) - romance, attraction, sexual comsumption - more sexual 3. Commitment (empty love) - decision to stay in relationship
intimacy + commitment = companionate
intimacy + passion = romance love
commitment + passion = fatuous love
Laws of attraction
Proximity
- laws of probability
- mere exposure/familiarity
Similarity
- similar ideas, beliefs, hobbies etc attracted to
- but some are opposite
Reciprocity
- like others who like us
- rewards and benefits
Physical attractiveness
- similar attractiveness, “matching hypothesis”
- humans very superficial (baby preferences, popularity, crime)
- universal agreements (facial symmetry, hourglass women, triangular (v) men)
Attractiveness - Evolutionary perspectives
Reproductive success Different environmental pressures on Men and women Women - reproduction is costly - restricted no. of offspring - maternal certainty Men - reproduction is easy - large no of offspring possible -paternal uncertainty
Attractiveness - Evolutionary perspectives Implications
Women want: - personality, status, resources - more picky - seek someone who will stick around Men want: - youth and attractiveness - no pressure to be choosy - desire many partners - seek fertile ppl to bear more children for them
Partner Preferences La Cerra
Men and women rated attractiveness of opposite sex engaging in various activities (alone, vacuuming, ignoring child, interacting with child)
- men always rate women high
- women rate depending on activity
Three questions study
Attractive men and women (confederates) approach people of opposite sex and say: “Ive seen you around and find you attractive. Would you…
…go out with me tonight?
…come over to my apartment tonight?
…go to bed with me tonight?”
men always said yes, women yes to date less to bed
Jealousy
2 different forms
- emotional infidelity (partner forms deep, emotional attachment with another - mostly women feel)
- sexual infidelity (partner has intercourse with another - mostly men feel)
Evolutionary
- Women ensure paternal investment
- men paternal uncertainty = challenged
Evolutionary Critiques
- focused on ancestors - diff. to today (not so focused on reproducing
- alternative explanations: social learning of gender roles
- don’t account for some phenomena: homosexuals, choice to limit fam size or not have kids
Sex
Coitus - coming together/uniting Copulation - sexual intercourse Mutual shared experience characterised by excitement. plateau, orgasm and resolution
Sex Researchers
Havelock Ellis
- transgenderism
- homosexuality
- autoeroticism
Sigmund Freud
- psychosexual development
- libido
Alfred Kinsey
- sexuality on continuum
- extramarital sex common
- ppl more sexually adventurous than expected
- masturbation not psych/physically damaging
William Masters and Virginia Johnson
- observed ppl having sex
- studies psychology and physiology of sex
- notable contributions: sexual response cycle, documented sex mechanisms (e.g. lubrication) and physiological orgasmic responses, debunked common myths at time
Sexual Response Cycle EXAM
1st phase - Excitement
- cause by physical or psychological stimulation
2nd phase - Plateau
- levelling off of sexual tension
- short or long prior to reaching levels required to trigger orgasm
3rd phase - orgasm
- totally body response with discharge of sexual tension
- shortest stage
4th phase - resolution
- body returns to unaroused state
Benefits of sex
Sexual satisfaction linked to:
- relationship satisfaction
- love and commitment
- physical health (cardiovascular)
- psychological health
Kisses and cuddles matter
