Module 3: Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships Flashcards
What is the Propinquity/Proximity effect?
More we see & interact with people, the more likely they become our friends
Factors – physical ecology (physical layout of buildings):
Physical distance – proximity (nearness)
Functional distance – opportunities for interaction
Mere exposure effect:
The more exposure we have to a stimulus, the more apt to like it
Why we hate our own photos? – the mere exposure effect works against us:
If we see ourselves often — for example, in the mirror — so we should find ourselves more attractive.
However, when we look at ourselves in the mirror, our image is reversed while in photographs of ourselves it is usually not.
One reason that we don’t particularly like photographs of ourselves is that those pictures present a view of our faces which is foreign to us.
Researchers have shown that individuals prefer photographs showing their mirror images, while others tend to prefer photographs of those same individuals which show their “true” images.
What is the Similarity-attraction effect?
An analysis of gene markers found that friends who are not biologically-related resemble each other genetically:
We are genetically similar to our friends – we have more DNA in common with the people we pick as friends – than we do with strangers in the same population
“Functional kinship” may have offered evolutionary advantages – friends work together better
Genes affecting the sense of smell are the most similar in friends
Opposite for genes controlling immunity – friends have different genetic protection against diseases, which could help reduce the spread of pathogens
“Friendship score” can predict who will be friends – such prediction can be as reliable as prediction for likelihood of obesity or schizophrenia based on genes alone
Attraction to people who are like us – likeness begets likeness
Attitude similarity effect – extent to which 2 individuals share same attitude
Matching phenomenon – tendency to choose partners who are a “good match” (e.g. attractiveness)
What is the Complementarity effect?
Attraction to people who are opposite to us
Research: similarity, NOT complementarity
What is the Facialmetric approach?
They are studies that analyze facial physiognomy
What is the attractive female within Facialmetric studies?
Attractive female: large eyes, small nose & chin, prominent cheekbones, large smile
What is the attractive male within Facialmetric studies?
Attractive male: prominent cheekbones, large chin, wide smile
What does the evolutionary/cognitive approach to facial attractiveness say about average features?
Evolutionary pressures favour average rather than extreme population features
People form prototypes (cognitive schema) that capture central or average features of the many exemplars of a particular category
Results – Power of familiarity:
Attractive faces are those whose features are the arithmetic mean for the species
Averaging attractiveness of many faces together produces one face that looks typical, familiar, & physically attractive
Biracial or multicultural faces always perceived most attractive – best average of all faces
Reasons:
People with average-size features less likely to have genetic abnormalities than those with deviant features
We can process quickly something that resembles a prototype, & quick processing associated with good feelings & feelings of attraction
What is the “ideal” waist-to-hip ratio for men and women?
Females: low waist-to-hip ratio considered beautiful by males
Males: high waist-to-hip ratio considered beautiful by females
What is High Relationship Mobility?
People have flexible ties, with plenty of opportunities for forming new connections rather than being bound by existing ones
Does not just apply to romantic relationships but to any kind of close relationships
If one has an unsatisfying relationship, they can move on to & form new relationships with others
People maintain the sense that they have options & they keep their eyes open to any new relationships that appear promising
What is Low Relationship Mobility?
People have few opportunities to form new relationships
Their commitments & obligations to existing ones continue to guide them
Relationships are viewed as a stable, often lifelong connections that provide benefits as well as costs to maintain
People are not typically considering how they might find better relationships than the ones they currently have
What is the Low Relationship Mobility context?
Having a relationship is a default state
What is the “halo effect”?
The first thing we often learn about someone is their level of physical attractiveness, it is there cognitively easier to assume they have other positive features as well
How is enemyship and friendship viewed in America?
Enemyship: Independent view of self, few report having enemies, enemies come from outergroup
Friendship: report having many friends, friends are here to share good times
How is enemyship and friendship viewed in Ghana?
Enemyship: Interdependent view of self, many report being targets of enemies, enemies come from in-group
Friendship: Report having fewer friends, see having many friends as foolish, friends are people who provide support; friendship involves obligations
What is Simpático?
In Latin American cultures, people place emphasis on maintaining harmonious relationships & on making expressive displays of graciousness, hospitality, & congeniality – simpatico relationship style
Self-concept characterized by traits such as – easygoing, respectful, courteous, & agreeable
Latin Americans also expect interactions with others to be dominated by positive social behaviours, with minimal negativity
Especially evident in the workplace:
Latin Americans show a clear preference for working in group where people strive to maintain a warm & hospitable atmosphere
Latin Americans speak more, make more eye contact, and show more positive feelings toward each other
When European or African Americans were paired with a Latin American partner, they rated the interaction as being more smooth, natural, and involving, and show more interest in interacting again in the future, compared to those from their own cultures
In general, Latin Americans act in more sociable ways than European Americans & they spend a greater proportion of their time socializing with others
