Love and Attraction Flashcards
What is the Three-Factor Theory of love?
- Cultural concept
- Love object
- Emotional arousal, which you label as love
How is Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of love differ from the 3 factor theory?
Different elements of love:
- Intimacy
- Passion
- Commitment
What is the difference between intimacy, passion, and commitment?
Intimacy is closeness and connection. (Liking)
Passion is romance, sexual. (Infatuation)
Commitment. (Empty Love)
What is companionate love?
Intimacy plus commitment
What is consummate love characterised by?
All three elements of triangular theory: passion, intimacy, commitment
What is romantic love a combination of?
Passion and intimacy.
What is fatuous love a combination of?
Commitment and passion.
How does mere exposure influence attraction?
Greater familiarity with someone (and proximity to them)
What are four influences on attraction?
Proximity, similarity, reciprocity, and physical attractiveness.
How does reciprocity influence attraction?
Increases positive evaluations. We like people who express positive emotions. And we want to reciprocate.
How important is compatibility in attraction?
Attracted to those we like
Repelled by those we don’t like
So if we dislike their racist attitudes…
What is assortative mating?
Coupling based on similar resemblance in genetic and social dimensions. (Appearance, background, SES, religion)
In which domains do physically attractive people experience advantages? (6)
- newborn looking preferences
- mothers treatment of children
- teachers’ treatment
- popularity at school
- criminal justice system
- romantic relationships
When is attractiveness not an advantage in the criminal justice system?
When the person has used their attractiveness to help them commit a crime. Using their good looks to get away with something.
What is the matching hypothesis?
People choose partners whom they perceive to be equally attractive as themselves.
What is universally agreed to be physically attractive? (3)
- facial symmetry
- hourglass women
- inverted triangular men
What are the different environmental pressures on men vs women (according to an evolutionary account)? (3 dimensions)
Women more reproduction cost, restricted number of offspring, and Maternal certainty.
Men face little reproduction costs, large number of possible offspring, and Paternal Uncertainty (don’t know if the kid is theirs)
According to evolutionary accounts, what do people want in a partner? How much choice do they have?
Women: - personality, status, resources, - choosier Men: - youth, attractiveness - not choosy - desire many partners
What was the partner preferences study (La Cerra, 1994)?
Showed opposite sex targets alone, vacuuming, ignoring child, or interacting with child.
Findings: Men rated all women equally attractive (regardless of activity).
Women rated men as much more attractive when interacting with a child.
Findings of ‘I find you attractive’ study (Clark & Hatfield, 1989; Clark 1990)?
Men are more likely to agree to sexual solicitation when approached by a stranger. Women are not.
Are there cultural differences in # of sex partners desired (Schmitt, 2003)?
Yes. Much variation across countries. Most in Eastern Europe, least in Africa.
What are gender differences in the experience of jealousy?
Women more jealous of emotional infidelity. Men more jealous of partner’s sexual infidelity.
Overall, little difference in frequency+magnitude of experiencing jealousy.
What are three dimensions of an ideal partner (LTR)?
- warmth-trustworthiness: care + intimacy
- vitality-attractiveness: health + reproductive fitness
- status-resources: socially prominent and financially secure
We are more attracted to and satisfied with someone who is: warm, healthy, and successful.
If you trust in others and find it easy to be close with others, you have a ____ attachment style?
Secure
What are the characteristics of an avoidant attachment style? (4)
- suppress attachment needs
- difficult to trust / depend on other
- less self-disclosure
- more likely to be unfaithful
What are the characteristics of anxious attachment style? (5)
- concern for lack of reciprocation
- sensitive to rejection
- fall in love more easily
- more emotional highs and lows
- more often unhappy
What is social exchange theory?
A cost vs benefit model of relationships. We are motivated to gain more than we give (minimal strategy).
What is a comparison level in Social Exchange Theory?
A developing personal standard of a relationship’s profitability, which leads to satisfaction if met.
What is equity theory in relationships?
Ratio of input to output must be equal for both partners to feel satisfied.
What 3 factors affect ongoing relationship commitment?
- Personal dedication: attraction to partner
- Moral commitment: obligation, religious duty, etc
- Constraint commitment: costly to leave
What was masters and johnsons’ main contribution to sex literature?
The sexual response cycle.
What are the four phases of the sexual response cycle?
Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm, Resolution
Who was the first researcher to examine transgenderism, homosexuality and auto-eroticism?
Havelock Ellis
Who developed ideas about psychosexual development and libido?
Freud. Libido is still used today.
What are the major contributions/findings of Alfred Kinsey (1950s)? (4)
- Sexuality = continuum
- Extramarital sex more common than previously thought
- People are more sexually adventurous than expected
- Masturbation has no physical or psychological harm
What are the benefits of sex? (4)
- relationship satisfaction
- love & commitment
- physical health
- psychological health
What type of research focus has revealed a more nuanced effect of pornography on relationships?
Dyadic - considering effects on both partners, not just one-sided.
When is there lower dysfunction in a relationship, with regards to porn usage?
When both partners use porn, greater ‘erotic climate’.
What the gender differences in the impact of porn usage on relationships.
More men’s usage = less sexual and relationship fulfilment
More women’s usage = better outcomes
