Love and Attraction Flashcards
attraction
the interest in and liking of one individual by another, or the mutual interest and liking between two or more individuals (prelude to intimacy)
propinquity effect
the tendency of individuals to form close relationships with people they repeatedly encounter
physical distance vs functional distance
measuring distance in space vs in contact frequency
mere exposure effect
the finding that individuals show an increased preference (or liking) for a stimulus as a consequence of repeated exposure to that stimulus
physical appearance vs attraction
- symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive
- the more average-looking a face is, the more attractive it is rated as
halo effect
a rating bias in which a general evaluation (usually positive) of a person, or an evaluation of a person on a specific dimension, influences judgments of that person on other specific dimensions
reciprocity effect
we like someone more if we feel they like us as well
similarity-attraction principle
states that we tend to be attracted towards individuals who share similar important traits, such as attitudes and values
similarity-attraction principle is based on:
- demographic
- physical attractiveness
- attitudes and values
- personality
complementary principle
people might be attracted to people whose characteristics complement their own
balance theory
people prefer elements within a cognitive system (e.g. attitudes) to be internally consistent with one another (i.e., balanced)
two-stage model of attraction
people tend to first avoid dissimilar others and then approach those remaining who are most similar
arousal theory of attraction
the process whereby people make a mistake in assuming what is causing them to feelaroused
e.g. when actually experiencing physiological responses related tofear, people mislabel those responses as romantic arousal
the reason physiological symptoms may be attributed to incorrect stimuli is because many stimuli have similar physiological symptoms e.g. shortness of breath
intimacy (emotional component of love)
an interpersonal state of extreme emotional closeness such that each party’spersonal space can be entered by any of the other parties without causing discomfort to that person
developed through:
- self-disclosure
- overlapping self-concepts
passion (motivational component of love)
intense sexual desire; a strong enthusiasm for or devotion to an activity, object, concept, or the like
commitment (cognitive component of love)
obligation or devotion to a person, relationship, task, cause, or other entity or action
intimacy + passion
romantic love > affair
passion + commitment
fatuous love > Romeo and Juliet
intimacy + commitment
companionate love > platonic, familial
stimulus-value-role theory
stimulus stage = attraction
value stage = intimacy and attachment
role stage = interdependence and commitment
internal working model of attachment
a cognitive construction or set of assumptions about the workings of relationships, such as expectations of support or affection
secure attachment style
combines a positiveinternal working model of attachmentof oneself, characterized by a view of oneself as worthy of love, and a positive internal working model of attachment of others, characterized by the view that others are generally accepting and responsive
avoidant attachment style
characterized by discomfort in being with others and a tendency to avoid intimate relationships with them
ambivalent attachment style
characterized by worry that a partner will break off a relationship or by hesitancy in forming deeply committed relationships despite a desire to do so
fearful attachment style
characterized by a negativeinternal working model of attachmentof oneself and of others; individuals with fearful attachment doubt both their own and others’ competence and efficacy and are presumed not to seek help from others when distressed
social exchange theory
a theory envisioning social interactions as an exchange in which the participants seek to maximize their benefits within the limits of what is regarded as fair or just
similar toequity theory, which also maintains that people seek fairness in social relationships and that fairness exists when each party in the relationship has the same ratio of outcomes (benefits) to inputs (resources brought to the relationship)
factors affecting commitment (3)
- the perception of the rewards and costs of the relationship
- the kind of relationship people believe they deserve (comparison level)
- their chances for having better relationship with someone else (comparison level for alternatives)
fatal attraction theory
a phenomenon where traits initially drawing individuals together in a relationship eventually lead to its downfall
(in)equity
individuals estimating a comparable ratio between what is contributed (inputs) to what is received (outputs) between themselves and others
communication styles
refer tohow individuals express themselves and respond to others in everyday conversations and interactions; it encompasses a person’s tone, language choice, nonverbal behavior, and overall approach to communication
conflict
the occurrence of mutually antagonistic or opposing forces, including events, behaviors, desires, attitudes, and emotions
negative affect reciprocity
involves the interchange of destructive behaviors such as complaints, criticisms, and nonverbal expressions of negative affect
demand-withdraw interaction pattern
a pattern of interaction in which a person criticizes or requests changes in the behavior of a relationship partner, who responds by avoiding the demand, becoming defensive, or withdrawing from the conversation; this pattern of communication is considered dysfunctional and predicts relationship deterioration and divorce
relationship-enhancing attributions
when one’s partner does something positive, relationship-enhancing attributionsview those actions as intentionally-performed by the person and reflecting more internal, stable characteristics
distress-maintaining attributions
a pattern of thinking in which individuals attribute negative events or experiences to internal, stable, and global factors
detachment process
the stages one goes through when leaving a romantic partner; (usually) the longer the relationship, the more painful the breakup
strategies of detachment (3)
- loyalty - waiting for conditions to improve
- neglect - ignoring the partner and allowing the relationship to deteriorate
- voice concern - taking active steps to improve the relationship
