Personal Relationships Flashcards
Biological assumption of formation of relationships
Humans are passive organisms influenced by physiological processes (evolutionary theory: ensure survival of species via reproduction)
Cognitive assumption on the formation of relationships
Humans actively interpret the world in order to make decisions (perhaps mediators for biological determinants)
Sociocultural assumption of formation of relationships
Societal expectations may influence decisions to form a relationship (again, perhaps a mediator of biological determinants)
Helen Fisher Aim
Investigate neural mechanisms associated with romantic love
Helen Fisher Procedure
Triangulated Lab: 1. Semi-structured interview to establish duration & intensity of love. 2. Questionnaire measuring traits associated with romantic love. 3. fMRI of brain activity while looking at a picture of beloved.
Helen Fisher Findings
Increased activity of areas with high levels of dopamine neurons. Correlation between measured intensity of love and the brains reward circuitry activation.
Helen Fisher Conclusion
Love is a motivation system to enable reproduction. Explains why attraction is linked to increased energy, focused attention, obsessive following, and more.
Altman & Taylor Proposed Theory
Social Penetration Theory: Relationships form based on gradual disclosure and reciprocal trust that has been established
Stages of Disclosure
- Orientation
- Exploratory
- Affective
- Stable
Orientation
Simple information that does not reveal vulnerability
Exploratory
Feelings and opinions but still rather “safe”
Affective
Private and personal information involving physical intimacy
Stable
Honesty and vulnerability can be openly shared as trust has been established
Social Penetration Theory Meta-analysis Findings
- People who disclose intimate information about themselves are more liked than those who don’t
- People tend to disclose more personal information to those they like
Evaluation of Social Penetration Theory
Disclosure may play a role in establishing and maintaining a relationship. However, difficult to determine direction of causality. Culturally bias towards western women. Overly simplistic as individuals may have different patterns of disclosure. Reductionist
Bradbury & Fincham Aim
Investigate causal attributions and responsibility attributions present in happy marriages
Bradbury & Fincham Procedure
Observation: identification of patterns of communication
Questionnaire: marital satisfaction and problems in relationship
Interview: cause, responsibility, & solution of the problem
Bradbury & Fincham Findings
Correlation between lower level of marital satisfaction and more frequent distress maintaining patterns of communication (blame, hostility, etc.)
Bradbury & Fincham Conclusion
Happy relationships engage in enhancing patterns of communication when there is a disagreement
Gottman et al Aim
Investigate the role of couple interaction / communication on relationship stability
Gottman et al Procedure
Longitudinal study: Interview with couples about relationship while they’re attached to electrodes measuring blood flow, heart rate, and sweat. Follow-up 6 years later
Gottman et al Findings
Couples who had quicker heart rates, activated sweat glands, and faster blood flow during interview had broken up or were chronically unhappy 6 years later. Couples who were still together show low physiological arousal, having created a climate of trust & connection
Gottman et al Conclusion & Proposed Theory
The 4 Horsemen of Apocalypse
- Contempt: hostile humor to make partner feel inferior
- Criticism: blaming, attacking or insulting partners character
- Defensiveness: avoiding responsibilities and making excuses
- Stonewalling: actively disengaging from conversations
Hatfield Aim
Investigate whether infidelity occurred due to imbalance in relationships
