PSYCHOLOGY(RELATIONSHIPS) Flashcards
what are virtual relationships?
internet dating irrelatively new, but rapidly growing. one benefit of online dating is that it increases our accessibility to a range of mates.
self disclosure in virtual relationships AO1
main fear with self disclosure in real life dating is that the intimate details disclosed may be passed on to social circles the individual is involved with. this is unlikely to happen in VR, so the individual disclosing the information is unlikely to suffer embarrassment.
the two main theories include:
>REDUCED CUES THEORY
>HYPERPERSONAL MODEL
what is the reduced cues theory?
says there will be less self disclosure due to a lack of in person cues, such as body language and tone of voice, which would normally give us an insight into someones emotional state. without these cues, it creates deindividuation which can encourage disinhibition (disregard of social interventions, making VR communication more blunt)
this decreases self disclosure as people are unlikely to disclose personal information to someone so impersonal.
what is the hyper personal model?
says there will be more self disclosure in VR.
>the person has time to manipulate disclosure (meaning they can select how they present themselves)
>feel more confident to disclose as they feel shielded(feel protected from consequences)
>and greater anonymity
AO3 for self disclosure in virtual relationships.
+WHITTY AND JOHNSON = found online questions tended to be more direct and personal, and so were answers. credits hyper personal model
-YIM AND HARA = cultural differences between America, Japan and Korea. found Japan thought self disclosure was irrelevant. Korean people disclosed more but had low levels of trust
+SCHOUTEN = people with high social anxiety had increased online disclosure due to absence of verbal cues, which they normally struggle with. practical applications for agoraphobes etc
-THEORETICAL FLAW = WALTHER found relationships to be online and offline. unlike they are one or the other
AO1 for effects of absence of gating in VR
GATING = people go on dates and some deficiencies may “block off” some people from progressing further. these are called gates.
in VR, these gates do not exist to the same extent as physical relationships, allows relationships to get off the ground.
AO3 for absence of gating in VR
+BARGH = found intimacy developed quicker due to lack of gates
+MCKENNA = those with limited social skills could enter a relationship, as barriers such as speech deficits didn’t put people off
-DEVELOPED TECH = gating is now absent in VR, due to more modernised tech allowing FaceTime etc. the theory is becoming more obsolete.
-BETA BIAS = research has not established if there are any age/sex differences. eg other explanations suggest how men and women seek different qualities, this is not explained. eg is the internet best used for men seeking younger attractive females? can women detect deficiencies in men online easier?
what are parasocial relationships?
individual believes that they are in a relationship with someone of a higher status, usually without that persons knowledge.
> tend to be celebrities they come across in the media
PSR are one sided and unreciprocated
what are the 3 levels of PSR?
> ENTERTAINMENT SOCIAL SUBSCALE
celebs are viewed as fuel for social interaction, eg gossiping in the workplace
> INTENSE-PERSONAL SUBSCALE
intense thoughts and feelings for the celebrity, shared with people who feel the same way
> BORDERLINE PATHOLOGICAL SUBSCALE
uncontrollable and extreme behaviours. spend all their money on celebrity and may even be willing to perform illegal act for them.
what is the absorption addiction model in relation to PSR?
the model explains the tendency to form PSR in order for an individual to escape their own life. people who form PSR may have a weak sense of self identity
> ABSORPTION
seek fulfilment from the celebrity so motivates them to identify with celeb, as they want to absorb their success. may have deficiencies in life, identifying with celeb gives a feel good factor
> ADDICTION
individual requires more intense involvement in order to stay committed. could lead to extreme behaviour such as stalking, being convinced they are actually in a relationship with the celeb.
AO3 for PSR
+MALTBY = found individuals in the entertainment stage had good mental health. individual in higher levels had poorer mental health.
+MALTBY = looked at females aged 12-14 who had PSR with female who had a body type they admired. found the girls had poor body image which could lead to anorexia, so high risk individuals could be identified.
-METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES = research use self report techniques (eg online questionnaires) and pts respond in a way that they think is socially desirable.
-CONTRADICTARY = not all PR relationships are negative. A-A model neglects that PSR can be functional. eg when some people have lost an attachment figure, they can seek comfort in PSR which can provide relief and emotional support
attachment theory explanation AO1
attachment styles explain the tendency to form PSR in adolescence and adulthood due to difficulties with attachment in childhood. most common attachment type to form a PSR is insecure resistant, as they hold more negative views about themselves and may turn to a tv character to satisfy relational needs. PSRs reflect their desire for intimacy
> SECURE ATTACHMENT (TYPE B)
empathetic and high self esteem in adulthood
INSECURE RESISTANT (TYPE C)
avoid but want closeness, cling and needy, worried they’re partner doesn’t love them and distraught when the relationship ends
INSECURE AVOIDANT (TYPE A)
problems with intimacy, invest little emotion into relationships, try and avoid all r/ships.
what are the 3 attachment behaviours in PSR?
1) PROXIMITY SEEKING
fans try to stay informed about the celebrity. may attempt to contact them from letters or in person
2) SECURE BASE
presence of an attachment figure provides sense of security. with PSR, there is little or no chance of rejection so the individual is able to create a secure base from which they can explore other relationships healthily .
3) PROTEST AT DISRUPTION
presence of distress following separation or loss. eg celeb dies or is cut from TV show
attachment theory for PSR AO3
+KIENLEN = found 63% of stalkers had experienced an early loss of a primary caregiver.
-McCUTCHEON = pts with insecure attachments were no more likely to form a PSR than securely attached people. shows attachment style is not the only factor.
-SCHMID AND KLIMMT = found similar levels of PSR with Harry Potter in individualistic (GERMANY) and collectivist (MEXICO). research normally suggests collectivist are more TYPE C
-ISSUES WITH APPLICATION = not all PSR are negative
what are the 4 theories of romantic relationships?
> SOCIAL EXCHANGE
EQUITY
RUSBULTS INVESTMENT MODEL
DUCKS BREAKDOWN
what is the social exchange theory?
> based on the premise that the individual feels like they’re getting out more than they put in.
in long term relationships, partners are continually giving and receiving items on value
emphasises the cost and benefits. once a relationship stars costing more, it is likely to breakdown
outcome = benefit - costs
COGNITIVE as it is based on peoples perceptions of costs and benefits
what are two ways to measure profit as part of the social exchange theory?
> COMPARISON LEVEL = comparison on current r/ship. may use past r/ships as a guide
> COMPARISON LEVEL WITH ALTERNATIVES = other potential r/ships are looked at, if they are judged to offer more then the current r/ship is likely to breakdown
4 stage model of r/ship development (SET)
> SAMPLING
rewards and costs are assessed in a number of r/ships
> BARGAINING
benefits and costs are identified, the couple may negotiate
> COMMITMENT
exchange of reward start to become fairly predictable
> INSTITUTIONALISATION
interactions are predictable and r/ship settles down
AO3 for SET
+RUSBULT AND ZEMBRODT = study on heterosexual couples found those who stayed in r/ships that increases in rewards had led to better satisfaction. costs had little impact on satisfaction
+PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS = couple therapies developed to focus on perceived or actual cost or perceived costs and benefits. couples can identify each others needs/benefits and work together to maximise each others profits
-THEORETICAL FLAW = costs may not be important in all stages of a relationship. eg costs are not considered in the beginning as we have no problem paying for meals etc. SET may only explain the maintenance and breakdown of a relationship
-THEORETICAL FLAW = doesn’t explain why some people stay in costing relationships (such as abusive one). eg may have large investment, such as kids. rusbults model better explanation
what is the equity theory?
modified version of the SET, economic theory based around fairness.
if someone feels like they are over benefitting or under benefitting, it will lead to feelings of dissatisfaction.
2 individuals can put in variable amounts and still maintain equity
