relationships Flashcards
which gender place a particular importance on physical attractiveness
males
why is physical attractiveness important to men
important cue to a womens health and hence her fertility
in what way is physical attractiveness important for women
short term mating eg one night stands
long term mating other factors take precedence such as resources
who created the matching hypothesis
walster and walster
what does the matching hypothesis propose
when initiating romantic relationships individuals seek partners whose social desirability equals their own eg physical attractiveness, social standing and intelligence
what has to happen for matching hypothesis
individuals assess their own value and then select the best available candidate who is most likely to be attracted to them
what does opting for a partner with similar social desirability do
maximises the chance of a successful outcome
what’s the matching hypothesis primarily associated with
attractiveness alone mating choices are “realistic” to increase chances affections will be reciprocated.
-Individual considers their own ideal choice with choice of other person and the avaliablitlty of alternatives
evaluate physical attractiveness
-key study walster 4 accomplices rated each of them for physical attractiveness participants completed questionnaire to assess personality told matched w/ ideal partner but random 6 months later found more positive to someone more attractive other factors didn’t affect liking the dates
+research support meltzer husbands relationship satisfaction was positively related to objective ratings of their wives attractiveness TMB wives satisfaction wasn’t correlated with husbands attractiveness
-complex matching speeches and hatfield a person may compensate for lack of physical attractiveness with other desirable qualities such as charming personality kindness status TMB people are able to attract partners more physically attractive than them because they offer other aspects
what is sexual selection
explains the evolution of characteristics such as physical attractiveness, intelligence that confer a reproductive advantage as opposed to a survival advantage therefore the ability to leave descendants
intersexual selection
when males must outcompete other members of their sex in order to gain access to the other sex eg deer rutting
-vicotrs are able to mate so pass on their genes
-whatever characteristic lead to success eg greater strength, strong antlers becomes more widespread in gene pool and traits will be passed on by victor
intersexual selection
members of one sex choosing partners with specific qualities.
-memebers of the opposite sex who possess these qualities eg attractiveness, status and resources will gain mating advantage
example of intersexual selection
if all females chose tall males then the number of small males would decrease. The successful traits (gene to tallness) will be passed on
long term mating
as both sexes invest heavily long term mating involves high levels of choosiness as the genetic quality of offspring is half of their mate
-men are attracted to fertile and attractive women to ensure reproductive success
-women are attracted to men with resources to ensure protection whilst they care for the child
evaluate evolutionary explanations for partner preferences
+supporting evidence Buss actual marriages in 29 cultures conformed men do choose younger women
-cultural differences kasha and Sharma found women valued potential mates access to resources far more in cultures where womens status and educational opportunities were sharply limited TMB suggests role of social/economic forces are as important as evolutionary in establishing mate preferences patterns
-lack of generaliability Buller found female mate preferences of most studies done on female undergraduate expect to show a preference for men with similar interests education and prospects of their own TMB evidence that universal mating preferences for high-status men is weak or non-existent
definition of self disclosure
-the extent to which a person reveals personal information about themselves their intimate thoughts, feelings and experiences to another person
why is self disclosure important
important process to development o romantic relationships greater disclosure leads to greater feelings of intimacy
distinguish given and receiven self disclosure
given = disclosing ones own personal thoughts feelings and experiences
recieved = information disclosed by the other
research on self disclosure
-recieved self disclosure is a batter predicator of liking and loving than the level of self disclosure given
-disclosure of more intimate info such as past sexual relationships has greater influence on relationship satisfaction than more neutral eg taste in music and food
norms of self disclosure
-early stages of relationship only moderate level of self disclosure
-this should be neither so personal so disclosure appears indiscriminate in they trust nor so impersonal so the listener doesn’t get to know the disclosure better
who developed filter theory
kerckhoff and davis
evaluate self disclose
-ignore other factors
+research support meta analysis by collins and miller people who engaged in intimate disclosure liked more liking was stronger if a recipient believed disclosure was only to them than shared indiscrmately TMB plays role in development and maintenance of somatic relationships
-cultural differences nakanishi Japanese women show lower preference for self disclosure than Japanese men opposite in the west TMB self disclosure moderated by influence of culture
definition of filter theory
we choose romantic partners by a series of filters that narrow down field of avaliables from what we make our choice different filters are prominent at different stages of partner selection
different stages and filters
early stages =demographic details (class, region, where they live ).
development = similarity of attitudes determines in relationship continues
finally = compatibility eg do their traits complement the individuals traits
social demography
variables such as age, social background and geographical location
-determine likelihood of meeting someone
-more likely to come into contact with people of our own ethic, social and educational background
-feel at ease due to similarity
similarity of attitude
such as attitude and value marriage kids debates determine if a relationship becomes stable
complementary of needs
people have different needs eg the need to be cared for and the need of caring
-provide each other with mutual satisfaction of opposing needs
-eg poor women might look for wealthy man
winch
social needs should be complementary than similar if marriages are to work
evaluate filter theory
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profit and loss social exchange theory
everyone tries to maximise the rewards(cared for and sex) they obtain from a relationship and minimise the costs we hope expect that rewards exceed costs (effort time wasted)
-succesul relationships give and take in equal proportion
equation for outcome
rewards - costs = outcome (profit or loss) and commitment to a relationship depends on its profitability
definition of comparison levels
-a standard against which all our relationships are judged a product of experiences in other relationships and general view what we might expect from a relationship
comparison level for alternatives
-individual will be committed to their current when the overall costs and benefits are percieved as being greater than what might be possible in a alternative relationship
evaluate social exchange theory
+supporting study sprecher
equity theory
maximise rewards and minimise costs incorporating fairness and equity people are most comfortable when they perceive they are getting roughly what they deserve from a relationship
what is an equitable relationship
one partners benefits minus the costs equals there partners benefits minus their costs
inequitable relationships
-dissatisfaction being over benefited (receiving more than you give) leads to guilt and shame being under benefitted (receiving less than u give may result in anger and resentment
stages of relationship and equity theory
early stages = more concerned with fairness, reward and equity
deeply committed = couples become less focused on day-to-day rewards happily married couples tend not to keep a score of how much they are giving and getting
evaluate equity theory
+supporting study Stafford and canary 200 married couples asked questions about satisfaction and maintenance strategies such as reassurance. satisfaction highest in equitable relationship and more likely to engage in behaviours that contributed to spouses happiness
-indiviudal differences eh huseman identified ‘benevolents’ who are givers therefore more tolerant of under rewarded and ‘entitleds’ who prefer being over rewarded therefore entitled to receive benefits TMBdifferent sensitivity to inequality
-gender differences eg demaris women more sensitive to injustices and perceive themselves as under benefited and more disturbed by this TMB women more likely to be vigilant and react negatively to being exploited
who created the investment model of relationships
rusbult
investment model
relationships persist because of bonds that tie them (their investments) and the absence of better alternatives
what are the 3 concepts that influence commitment
satisfaction, quality of alternatives and investments
satisfaction level
refers to the positive and negative emotions experienced in a relationship and the extent to which the other person fulfils the individuals most important needs
