Relationship formation

Question 1

Pet-owner relationships

Answer 1

The principles of operant conditioning have been used to train pets and aid the formation of pet-owner relationships.
Training dogs involves rewarding good behaviours.
For example:
When a dog sits, giving them a treat.
The rewards increase the likelihood the good behaviour will be repeated and will increase the satisfaction of both the owner and the pet.
Pet-owners are also less likely to suffer with depression.
The presence of a pet is generally associated with positive feelings such as companionship.
This is an example of classical conditioning.

Question 2

Classical conditioning

Answer 2

We like those who are associated with pleasant events.
If you meet someone when you’re feeling happy, you’re more inclined to like them than if you meet them when you’re unhappy.
A previously neutral stimulus (someone we haven’t met) can become positively valued because of their association with the pleasant event.
Liking through association may lead to having a relationship.
This is an example of classical conditioning.

Question 3

Operant conditioning

Answer 3

Our behaviour is driven by reinforcements and punishments:
A new relationship can be positively reinforcing.
For example:
Receiving attention, compliments and company can be rewarding.
We are therefore likely to repeat these behaviours and spend more time with someone.
Being with someone can also help us avoid feelings of loneliness and rejection. This is an example of negative reinforcement.
If we’re not in a relationship, we may feel punished.
For example: Being excluded from “couples’ events”.
This punishment would decrease the likelihood that we would want to be alone and increase the likelihood that we would want to form a relationship.

Question 4

Thibaut and Kelley (1959) - name of theory

Answer 4

Social exchange theory

Question 5

Thibaut and Kelley (1959)

Answer 5

Describes romantic relationships using the economic terminology of profit and loss.
(Rewards and costs)
They claim that partners in relationships strive to maximise rewards and minimise costs.
For example: Companionship, praise, emotional support and sex.
Stress, arguments, compromises, time commitments.
Rewards and costs are subjective:
What is considered costly by one person, can be seen as low cost or even a reward by another.
Costs also tend to change over time:
What is considered to be costly at the start of a relationship, could seem less so as the relationship develops.

Question 6

Cate et al (1982) - name of theory

Answer 6

Reward/need satisfaction theory

Question 7

Cate et al (1982)

Answer 7

Asked 337 individuals to assess their current relationships in terms of reward level and satisfaction.
Results showed that reward level was superior to all other factors in determining relationship satisfaction.
However, a problem with this theory is that it only explores the receiving of rewards.

Question 8

Hayes (1985)

Answer 8

Found that we gain satisfaction from giving as well as receiving.

Question 9

Clore and Byrne (1974) - name of theory

Answer 9

Reinforcement-affect model

Question 10

Clore and Byrne (1974)

Answer 10

This model is based on assumptions:
That people experience stimuli as rewarding or punishing and seek out those that are rewarding.
Positive feelings are associated with rewarding stimuli.
Other people are liked or disliked according to their association with rewarding or punishing stimuli.
We learn to associate positive feelings with people that are linked to rewards.