Lecture 9 - Friendship and Love Flashcards
What is Social Penetration Theory?
A theory that describes moving a relationship from superficial to deeper levels of intimacy
Developed by Altman & Taylor in 1973
What is self-disclosure?
Voluntarily sharing information about oneself to another person
Important in building and maintaining relationships
How does self-disclosure relate to friendships?
It is crucial for developing and maintaining friendships by allowing personal sharing
Involves sharing deeper personal information over time
What are the two dimensions of self-disclosure?
Breadth and depth
Breadth refers to the range of topics shared, while depth refers to the degree of personal information
What does ‘depth’ in self-disclosure refer to?
The degree of information from superficial to private
Indicates how personal the shared information is
What does ‘breadth’ in self-disclosure refer to?
The wider range of topics shared, such as opinions, interests, and attitudes
Indicates the variety of subjects discussed
How is social penetration described metaphorically?
Like peeling an onion, moving from superficial to core layers of personality
Each layer represents different levels of intimacy
What are the levels of social penetration?
Superficial, Intimate, Personal, Core
These levels represent different depths of personal sharing
What is the norm of reciprocity in social penetration?
The expectation to share similar depth and breadth of information
Helps relationships develop at a comfortable pace
True or False: Relationships typically start with deep self-disclosure.
False
Relationships usually start slow at a superficial level
Fill in the blank: Social penetration is the process of peeling back the layers of _______.
personal information
This process reveals deeper aspects of an individual’s personality
What are the stages of social penetration?
The stages are: Orientation, Exploratory Affective exchange, Affective exchange, and Stable exchange.
What characterizes the Orientation stage?
Orientation involves superficial information, cautious and careful behavior, public self, and socially desirable behaviors.
Examples include first dates and acquaintances.
What occurs during the Exploratory Affective exchange stage?
Exploratory Affective exchange involves less cautious self-disclosure, a breadth of topics, and is limited to the public self.
Examples include first dates and casual acquaintances or friends.
What are the properties of the Affective exchange stage?
Affective exchange includes some private or intimate information, commitment and comfort, and the initiation of conflict.
What defines the Stable exchange stage?
Stable exchange is characterized by openness, breadth, depth, honesty, and intimacy, involving the most intimate information.
Examples include close friends and romantic partners.
What happens if self-disclosure is too quick or too much?
The recipient may feel threatened and evaluate the disclosure negatively.
How should self-disclosure be managed?
Self-disclosure should be properly paced and matched to the other’s level of self-disclosure.
What is defenestration in the context of relationships?
Defenestration is when a person emotionally withdraws from a relationship by reducing the quantity and intimacy of the information they disclose.
What is the main finding of Social Penetration Theory?
People who take part in intimate disclosure are liked more than those who disclose less.
How does liking influence self-disclosure?
People disclose more to people they like more.
What effect does self-disclosure have on interpersonal relationships?
People like others more following self-disclosure.
What is a limitation of Social Penetration Theory?
It is limited in scope and doesn’t apply to coworkers, neighbours, or acquaintances.
What aspect of relationships does Social Penetration Theory not address?
It does not describe or explain established relationships.
Is disclosure always linear according to Social Penetration Theory?
No, disclosure may be nonlinear.
What individual factors are not considered in Social Penetration Theory?
Individual differences in disclosure preferences, including neurodiversity.
What cultural aspect is overlooked by Social Penetration Theory?
Cultural differences in self-disclosure are not considered.
How does social media impact self-disclosure?
Social media has enabled self-disclosure to be more accessible and visible.
What question arises from superficial self-disclosure on social media?
What are the consequences of receiving increasing amounts of superficial self-disclosure on social media?
What framework discusses the role of costs and rewards in personal relationships?
The social exchange framework (Thibault & Kelly, 1995).
What are some costs associated with superficial self-disclosure?
Imposition on one’s time and resources.
What benefit does superficial self-disclosure provide?
It reduces uncertainty and allows people to better predict others’ behaviours.
How do costs change with the frequency of superficial self-disclosure?
Costs decrease when superficial self-disclosures are infrequent and balanced with the rewards.
What happens to costs if superficial self-disclosure is frequent?
Costs increase if superficial self-disclosure makes up a large proportion of self-disclosure.
What was a key result regarding superficial self-disclosures?
Superficial self-disclosures negatively impacted relationship satisfaction and liking only when the volume of self-disclosures received was high.
What mediated the relationship between superficial self-disclosures and relationship satisfaction?
Perceived relationship costs.
What do cultural accounts suggest about gender roles?
Social role theory states that gender roles are produced and reinforced through social interaction.
What are key characteristics of women’s same gender friendships?
They involve communion and self-disclosure, greater effort and expectation, and increased risk of co-rumination.
What is co-rumination?
It is the process of dwelling on past events and constantly focusing on the same issue without seeking solutions.
What are key characteristics of men’s same gender friendships?
They place greater value on instrumental or agentic characteristics, have a higher risk of low-quality friendships, and experience increased homophobia.
How does homophobia affect men’s friendships?
It can reduce self-disclosure and emotional expression, impairing intimacy.
What are commonalities in same gender friendships?
They include symmetrical reciprocity, inclusion and mutual activities, geographic proximity, and similarity between friends.
What is symmetrical reciprocity?
It involves loyalty, mutual regard, trustworthiness, reciprocal exchange, and support.
How does geographic proximity influence friendships?
It helps a friendship start by facilitating interactions.
What did Hall’s meta-analysis reveal about gender differences in friendships?
Women have higher expectations for symmetrical reciprocity and communion, while men have higher agency expectations. Solidarity expectations are similar across genders.
What are the limitations of Hall’s research on gender differences in friendships?
The research is limited to North America and Europe, primarily focusing on western cultures. It does not consider same-gender friendships among non-heterosexual groups.
What is the most developed type of interpersonal relationship?
Romantic love.
What are the components of love according to the text?
Fondness and passion for activities (meraki), places (chôros), objects (eros), affection and loyalty towards family (storge), friends (philia), and ourselves (philautia), and passionate desire (epithymia) along with a sense of destiny (anáke).
What is Agape?
Selflessness - Agape (selfless love)
What is Storge?
Friendship - Storge (Love as friendship)
What is Eros?
Romance - Eros (Loving an ideal person)
What is Mania?
Obsession - Mania (Obsessive love)
What is Ludos?
Conquest Ludos - Love as a game
What is Pragma?
Practicality - Pragma (Realistic and practical love)
What are the three basic elements of Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love?
Passion, Intimacy, Commitment
What does Passion refer to in Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love?
Sexual desire and physical attraction
What does Intimacy refer to in Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love?
Connection and feelings of closeness
What does Commitment refer to in Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love?
To love in the short term; to maintain that love in the long term
What is Passionate Love?
A state of intense longing and desire for another person, involving very intense emotions.
What are the components of the Three Factor Theory of (Passionate) Love?
- Meeting a suitable potential partner
- Attributing physiological arousal to the presence of the potential partner
- Understanding and accepting the concept of love
What is Companionate Love?
Based on friendly affection and deep attachment due to extensive familiarity. It replaces and is more enduring than passionate love.
What explains the transition from passionate to companionate love?
Evolutionary processes.
What factors contribute to Relationship Satisfaction?
- Social exchange and equity
- Interpretation
- Social comparison
- Social networks
- Attachment
What is the Social exchange framework?
A balance between what one gives and receives in a relationship.
What do people seek in relationships according to the Social exchange framework?
Relationships that are personally rewarding and where the rewards outweigh the costs.
What is a Cost benefit analysis in relationships?
Comparing existing relationships with possible rewards and costs of alternative relationships.
What is the basis of Relationship Satisfaction according to Equity Theory?
It is based on the social exchange framework, which involves expectations of exchange in close relationships.
What are the negative consequences of inequity in relationships?
Inequity in relationships can lead to negative consequences.
What did Bunk & Vanyperen (1991) find about relationship satisfaction?
Perceiving equality leads to the highest relationship satisfaction, followed by the perception of advantage. Those who felt deprived reported the least satisfaction.
Does equity in a relationship predict relationship satisfaction?
Yes, equity in the relationship does predict relationship satisfaction.
What were the independent and dependent variables in Sprecher’s 2016 study?
Independent variable: primed about under benefiting, over benefiting, or an equity relationship. Dependent variables: distress and current relationship satisfaction.
What were the results of the under benefiting equity primed group in Sprecher’s 2016 study?
They reported significantly more distress than the over benefiting inequity primed group and had the highest levels of anger and frustration.
Which group reported the highest level of happiness and satisfaction in Sprecher’s 2016 study?
The equity primed group reported the highest level of happiness and satisfaction.
What was the outcome for the over benefiting primed group in Sprecher’s 2016 study?
The over benefiting primed group reported the highest level of guilt.
How do people in happy relationships interpret their partner’s behavior?
In happy relationships, problems are blamed on the self, and the partner is given credit for solving problems.
(Thompson & Kelley, 1981)
How do people in unhappy relationships interpret their partner’s behavior?
In an unhappy relationship, people blame problems on their partner and see their partner’s problematic behavior as affecting other aspects of the relationship.
(Fincham & Bradbury, 1991)
What types of attributions were assessed in Fincham & Bradbury’s study?
The study assessed causal attribution, responsibility attribution, and blame attribution.
What was the correlation between marital satisfaction and attributions?
Marital satisfaction correlated negatively with causal attributions, responsibility attribution, and blame attribution.
What is the relationship between partner blame and marital satisfaction?
The more a partner is seen as causing the behavior, being responsible, and blameworthy for the behavior, the lower the marital satisfaction.
What is the correlation between anger and attributions?
Anger correlated positively with causal attributions, responsibility attribution, and blame attribution.
What is the relationship between partner blame and anger?
The more a partner is seen as causing the behavior, being responsible, and blameworthy for the behavior, the higher the anger.
What is the effect of comparing your relationship to others on relationship satisfaction?
Comparing your relationship to others can affect relationship satisfaction.
Study by Bunk & Van dear Einden (1997) with 1281 Dutch adults.
What do individuals with high relationship satisfaction perceive?
Individuals with high relationship satisfaction perceive their relationship as good.
How does marital satisfaction relate to social network overlap?
Marital satisfaction increases as a function of overlap between the couples’ social networks.
What does attachment theory predict about attachment style to primary caregivers?
Attachment style to primary caregiver predicts attachment style in close relationships in later life.
What are the characteristics of individuals with a secure attachment style?
Those with secure attachment style tend to have lasting relationships, experience companionate love, and are preferred as partners.
(Brennan & Shaver, 1995; Doherty et al., 1994; Chappel & Davies, 1998)
Does attachment style predict relationship satisfaction?
Yes, attachment style does predict relationship satisfaction.
What did Campbell et al. (2007) find in their daily diary study regarding anxious attachment style?
Higher anxious attachment style perceived more conflict in relationships, leading to lower satisfaction.
What is the relationship between perceived conflict and relationship satisfaction?
Greater perceived conflict leads to lower relationship satisfaction and less optimism about the future of the relationship.
