Relationships Flashcards
Sexual selection
Evolutionary explanation of partner preference. Attributes that increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated
Anisogamy
Differences between male and female sex cells
INTER-sexual selection
Trivers
Strategies one gender used to select the other
Preferred strategy of females (Quality over quantity)
Pointed out females make greater investment of time, commitment and resources (more selective)
Fisher
Sexy son’s hypothesis- women choose men with desirable characteristics that may be passed onto their son so they can pass on their genes
INTRA-sexual selection
Strategies of a gender to be the one selected
Preferred strategy of male
(Quantity over quality)
Dimorphism
Males and females look different
Clark and Hatfield
Male/female students approached others and asked if they’d like to sleep with them
No females agreed, 75% males agreed
Buss and Schmitt
Both males and females adopt similar mating strategies for long term relationships (both are choosy)
Buss
Survey of 10,000 adults in 33 countries and found men valued physical attractiveness more than females
How are social and cultural influences underestimated?
Bereczkei argues women’s greater role in workplace means attraction is no longer resource-oriented
Altman and Taylor (Social Penetration Theory)
Gradual process of revealing inner self to someone else.
RECIPROCAL (Reis and Shaver) exchange of info between intimate partners.
BREADTH + DEPTH- as both increase, partners become more committed.
Breadth is narrow because topics are off-limits in the early stages, if too much is revealed too soon they threaten the relationship before even beginning
Sprecher and Hendrick
Strong correlation between satisfaction and self disclosure in heterosexual partners
Sprecher et. al. -> relationships closer + more satisfying when partners take turns disclosing info
Haas + Stafford
57% homosexual partners said open, honest disclosure was main way they maintained and deepened their relationship
Nu Tang et. al.
Individualist cultures disclose more sexual thoughts and feelings than collectivist cultures.
Despite less disclosure, satisfaction levels were no different
The Halo Effect
Physical attractiveness matters because we have preconceived ideas about the personality traits attractive people must have. This makes them more attractive (Self Fulfilling Prophecy)
Matching Hypothesis
Walster + Walster -> we look for partners similar to our own attractiveness instead of the most appealing option (Computer Dance)
-Hypothesis NOT supported
-BERSCHIED replicated the study where each student was allowed to select partner from varying degrees of attraction. Supports hypothesis
Palmer and Peterson
Physically attractive ppl rated as more politically competent. Halo effect persisted even when it was known attractive ppl had no expertise
Cunningham
Women with symmetrical faces (Shackelford+Larson) rated as more attractive by white, Hispanic + Asian men (signs of genetic fitness)
Taylor et. al.
Activity logs of online dating site. Online, ppl sought dates with ppl more attractive than themselves. Undermines validity
Feingold
Meta-analysis of 17 studies
Found sig. correlation in ratings between partners. Online selection may be just as fantasy as laboratory research as they may not be chosen back
Filter Theory
Kerchoff+Davis
Social Demography (proximity- results in homogamy)
Similar in Attitudes (promotes SD)
Complementarity (long-term importance)
Kerchoff + Davis
Longitudinal study
Questionnaires to assess Similarity/Complementarity
Closeness assessed 7 months after
Similarity associated with closeness before 18 months
Levinger
Failure to replicate Kerchoff and Davis findings down to social changes + problems defining depth of relationship.
Lacks validity
Markey + Markey
Long-term Lesbian couples of equal dominance were most satisfied
Complementary not central to ALL long-term relationships
Montoya
Meta-analysis of 313 studies.
Found similarity only effected attraction in short-term lab-based interactions
IRL, similarity better predictor of attraction so perceived greater similarities as they become more attracted (Cause and Effect)
Social Exchange Theory
Thibault + Kelley
Relationships reflect economic assumptions of exchange
Rewards, cost + profits (Minimax Principle)
Comparison Level (CL) (profit)
- amount of reward you believe you deserve based on previous experiences (influenced by social norms)
CL for Alternatives (CLalt)
-measure of profit
Stages of Relationship Development
SAMPLING
BARGAINING
COMMITMENT
INSTITIONALISATION
Kurdek
