Personal Relationships

Question 1

Biological assumption of formation of relationships

Answer 1

Humans are passive organisms influenced by physiological processes (evolutionary theory: ensure survival of species via reproduction)

Question 2

Cognitive assumption on the formation of relationships

Answer 2

Humans actively interpret the world in order to make decisions (perhaps mediators for biological determinants)

Question 3

Sociocultural assumption of formation of relationships

Answer 3

Societal expectations may influence decisions to form a relationship (again, perhaps a mediator of biological determinants)

Question 4

Helen Fisher Aim

Answer 4

Investigate neural mechanisms associated with romantic love

Question 5

Helen Fisher Procedure

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Helen Fisher Findings

Answer 6

Increased activity of areas with high levels of dopamine neurons. Correlation between measured intensity of love and the brains reward circuitry activation.

Question 7

Helen Fisher Conclusion

Answer 7

Love is a motivation system to enable reproduction. Explains why attraction is linked to increased energy, focused attention, obsessive following, and more.

Question 8

Altman & Taylor Proposed Theory

Answer 8

Social Penetration Theory: Relationships form based on gradual disclosure and reciprocal trust that has been established

Question 9

Stages of Disclosure

Answer 9

1. Orientation
2. Exploratory
3. Affective
4. Stable

Question 10

Orientation

Answer 10

Simple information that does not reveal vulnerability

Question 11

Exploratory

Answer 11

Feelings and opinions but still rather “safe”

Question 12

Affective

Answer 12

Private and personal information involving physical intimacy

Question 13

Stable

Answer 13

Honesty and vulnerability can be openly shared as trust has been established

Question 14

Social Penetration Theory Meta-analysis Findings

Answer 14

1. People who disclose intimate information about themselves are more liked than those who don’t
2. People tend to disclose more personal information to those they like

Question 15

Evaluation of Social Penetration Theory

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Bradbury & Fincham Aim

Answer 16

Investigate causal attributions and responsibility attributions present in happy marriages

Question 17

Bradbury & Fincham Procedure

Answer 17

Observation: identification of patterns of communication
Questionnaire: marital satisfaction and problems in relationship
Interview: cause, responsibility, & solution of the problem

Question 18

Bradbury & Fincham Findings

Answer 18

Correlation between lower level of marital satisfaction and more frequent distress maintaining patterns of communication (blame, hostility, etc.)

Question 19

Bradbury & Fincham Conclusion

Answer 19

Happy relationships engage in enhancing patterns of communication when there is a disagreement

Question 20

Gottman et al Aim

Answer 20

Investigate the role of couple interaction / communication on relationship stability

Question 21

Gottman et al Procedure

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Gottman et al Findings

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Gottman et al Conclusion & Proposed Theory

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Hatfield Aim

Answer 24

Investigate whether infidelity occurred due to imbalance in relationships

Question 25

Hatfield Procedure

Answer 25

Correlational Questionnaire: asked US couples about partner traits, nature of relationship, and extramarital affairs

Question 26

Hatfield Findings

Answer 26

Those who felt under-benefited had extramarital sex sooner than those who felt fairly treated. Unbalanced individuals were least likely to think relationship would still be intact in the future.

Question 27

Hatfield Conclusion & Equity Theory

Answer 27

Individuals estimating a comparable ratio of what is contributed and what is received leads to a successful relationship

Question 28

Equity Theory Evaluation

Answer 28

Overlooks role of emotions in relationships. Culturally biased towards individualistic societies. Diffficult to quantify costs and rewards of a relationship.

Question 29

Who proposed that love is a motivation system

Answer 29

Helen Fisher

Question 30

Who proposed Social Penetration Theory

Answer 30

Altman & Taylor

Question 31

Who proposed enhancing / distress maintaining patterns of communication

Answer 31

Brandbury & Fincham

Question 32

Who proposed 4 horsemen of Apocalypse Theory

Answer 32

Gottman et al.

Question 33

Who proposed Equity Theory

Answer 33

Hatfield

Question 34

What is the Halo Effect

Answer 34

Tendency for an impression created in one area to influence opinion in another area

Question 35

Dion Aim

Answer 35

Investigate whether physically attractive people, both male and female, are assumed to possess more socially desirable personality traits than unattractive people

Question 36

Dion Procedure

Answer 36

Participants received 3 photos of someone their age that could be considered physically attractive, moderately attractive, and unattractive. They were asked to rate the people on 27 personality traits and determine which person would most likely experience overall happiness and success.

Question 37

Dion findings

Answer 37

Attractive individuals were predicted to be significantly happier, successful, and have more positive personality traits

Question 38

Dion Conclusion

Answer 38

Our cognitive process of thinking and decision making to form a relationship or not may be influenced by a person’s physical beauty, distorting judgement of their other qualities.