Love and Attraction

Question 1

attraction

Answer 1

the interest in and liking of one individual by another, or the mutual interest and liking between two or more individuals (prelude to intimacy)

Question 2

propinquity effect

Answer 2

the tendency of individuals to form close relationships with people they repeatedly encounter

Question 3

physical distance vs functional distance

Answer 3

measuring distance in space vs in contact frequency

Question 4

mere exposure effect

Answer 4

the finding that individuals show an increased preference (or liking) for a stimulus as a consequence of repeated exposure to that stimulus

Question 5

physical appearance vs attraction

Answer 5

• symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive
• the more average-looking a face is, the more attractive it is rated as

Question 6

halo effect

Answer 6

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

Question 7

reciprocity effect

Answer 7

we like someone more if we feel they like us as well

Question 8

similarity-attraction principle

Answer 8

states that we tend to be attracted towards individuals who share similar important traits, such as attitudes and values

Question 9

similarity-attraction principle is based on:

Answer 9

• demographic
• physical attractiveness
• attitudes and values
• personality

Question 10

complementary principle

Answer 10

people might be attracted to people whose characteristics complement their own

Question 11

balance theory

Answer 11

people prefer elements within a cognitive system (e.g. attitudes) to be internally consistent with one another (i.e., balanced)

Question 12

two-stage model of attraction

Answer 12

people tend to first avoid dissimilar others and then approach those remaining who are most similar

Question 13

arousal theory of attraction

Answer 13

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

Question 14

intimacy (emotional component of love)

Answer 14

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

Question 15

passion (motivational component of love)

Answer 15

intense sexual desire; a strong enthusiasm for or devotion to an activity, object, concept, or the like

Question 16

commitment (cognitive component of love)

Answer 16

obligation or devotion to a person, relationship, task, cause, or other entity or action

Question 17

intimacy + passion

Answer 17

romantic love > affair

Question 18

passion + commitment

Answer 18

fatuous love > Romeo and Juliet

Question 19

intimacy + commitment

Answer 19

companionate love > platonic, familial

Question 20

stimulus-value-role theory

Answer 20

stimulus stage = attraction
value stage = intimacy and attachment
role stage = interdependence and commitment

Question 21

internal working model of attachment

Answer 21

a cognitive construction or set of assumptions about the workings of relationships, such as expectations of support or affection

Question 22

secure attachment style

Answer 22

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

Question 23

avoidant attachment style

Answer 23

characterized by discomfort in being with others and a tendency to avoid intimate relationships with them

Question 24

ambivalent attachment style

Answer 24

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

Question 25

fearful attachment style

Answer 25

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

Question 26

social exchange theory

Answer 26

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)

Question 27

factors affecting commitment (3)

Answer 27

1. the perception of the rewards and costs of the relationship
2. the kind of relationship people believe they deserve (comparison level)
3. their chances for having better relationship with someone else (comparison level for alternatives)

Question 28

fatal attraction theory

Answer 28

a phenomenon where traits initially drawing individuals together in a relationship eventually lead to its downfall

Question 29

(in)equity

Answer 29

individuals estimating a comparable ratio between what is contributed (inputs) to what is received (outputs) between themselves and others

Question 30

communication styles

Answer 30

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

Question 31

conflict

Answer 31

the occurrence of mutually antagonistic or opposing forces, including events, behaviors, desires, attitudes, and emotions

Question 32

negative affect reciprocity

Answer 32

involves the interchange of destructive behaviors such as complaints, criticisms, and nonverbal expressions of negative affect

Question 33

demand-withdraw interaction pattern

Answer 33

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

Question 34

relationship-enhancing attributions

Answer 34

when one’s partner does something positive, relationship-enhancing attributionsview those actions as intentionally-performed by the person and reflecting more internal, stable characteristics

Question 35

distress-maintaining attributions

Answer 35

a pattern of thinking in which individuals attribute negative events or experiences to internal, stable, and global factors

Question 36

detachment process

Answer 36

the stages one goes through when leaving a romantic partner; (usually) the longer the relationship, the more painful the breakup

Question 37

strategies of detachment (3)

Answer 37

1. loyalty - waiting for conditions to improve
2. neglect - ignoring the partner and allowing the relationship to deteriorate
3. voice concern - taking active steps to improve the relationship