Relationships Flashcards
What is cultural bias?
Cultural bias occurs when people from one culture make assumptions about the behaviour of those from another culture based on their own cultural norms and practices
What is Ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism occurs when we use our own ethnic group as a basis for judgements about other groups. We tend to view the beliefs, customs and behaviours of our own culture as ‘normal’ or superior. Those of other cultures are seen as ‘strange’ or deviant when theories are generalised to the whole population.
What is alpha bias?
Alpha bias assumes that there are real and enduring differences between males and females. It exaggerates the differences and implies one gender is superior to the other
What is beta bias?
Beta bias ignores or minimises sex differences. It exaggerates the similarity between men and women.
What is Androcentrism?
Androcentrism is when the bias takes male thinking/behaviour as the norm and regarding female behaviour as deviant. inferior and abnormal if its different to the male.
What is estrocentrism?
Estrocentrism is the opposite of androcentrism where female behaviour is seen as the norm.
What is deindividuation theory?
Deindividuation is the process where people lose their personal identity and adopt a group identity and therefore take less repsonsibility for their inhibitions about violence.
Explanations for formation of relationships
Matching hypothesis and filter model
Matching hypothesis AO1
- Refers to physical attractiveness
- Idea that we will form relationships with a partner of similar attractiveness to ourselves
- We are aware of our own attractiveness and act realistically and aim for the person who most closely matches our own attractiveness
Walster et al study
MH:
Male and female university students brought tickets for ball
Completed detailed questionnaire about themselves
Students were rated for physical attractiveness
Assigned a partner randomly
During the ball the male students were asked whether they
would ask their partner on a second date and on what basis
The factor that determined this the most was her physical attractiveness regardless of males attractiveness
AO2:
Low ecological validity as no social rejection like in real life
fundamentally flawed- not a valid test
Silverman study
MH:
Investigated matching which had already occurred.
Couples were observed in naturalistic dating settings of bars etc
2 males and 2 females formed observe team
Observed couples =18-22 yrs and unmarried
Each observer independently rated the dating partner of opposite sex on 5 point scale
Found extremely high degree of similarity between the attractiveness of the couple members
More similar the attractiveness = happier they seemed
60% highly similar 46% moderately 22% least similar appeared happy
AO2: Naturalistic covert only a snapshot of relationship may normally be happy low ecological validity subjective rating of happiness
Berscheid and Walster
MH:
Ppts had to stipulate what kind of partners they wished for when buying tickets for ball
People again rated for physical attractiveness
Ppts rated as high, low or average attractiveness tended to ask for dates of a corresponding level of attractiveness
AO2:
Better than computer dance study 1 as more ecologically valid asking what partner they want
Objective measure
Murstein study
MH:
Photographs of faces of steady or engaged couples were compared with random couples
Real couples were consistently judged to be more similar to each other in physical attractiveness than the random pairs
AO2:
Overcomes halo effect
Studies supporting matching hypothesis
Silverman
Berschied and Walster
Mustein
Studies again matching hypothesis
Walster et al
IDA for Matching Hypothesis
Cultural bias: developed in USA a culture where individuals are able to select their own partners and are therefore free to use physical attractiveness as a selection criterion
Ethnocentrism- norm for our culture but not for others. Non-western cultures have arranged marriages arranged by family. Limits generalisability of MH
Gender Differences- MH ignores gender differences saying men value physical attractiveness more. According to Takeuchi there is a gender difference in the degree to which physical attractiveness is valued by an opposite sex partner. Found attractiveness of men for women was less valued as they can compensate for lack of attractiveness with status and personality, wealth.
MH gives an explanation for formation as there doesn’t need to be a match necessarily for relationship to develop
Complex matching- People come into relationships offering many desirable characters which can compensate for looks.
Filter model- devleoped to explain why people are attracted to one another and go on to form a relationship
PA- Dating agencies and tv shows could use these to make successful matches
Criticisms- doesn’t account for short term relationships (one night stands) internet dating
Formation of relationships explanation 2
The filter model (Kerckhoff and Davis)
AO1 Filter model
Filter 1 =Social/demographic variables of background etc which make up the field for potential partners to be chosen from
Filter 2= Similarity of attitudes and values- applied once together and if couple share beliefs communication should be easier. People with different attitudes filtered out
Filter 3= Complementarity of emotional needs- almost established relationship- opposites attract so if one is more dominant etc
AO2 Filter model research evidence
Filter 1 support- Gruber-Baldini et al and Sprecher
Filter 2 support- Sprecher + Kerckhoff and Davis
Filter 3 Kerckhoff and Davis + Winch
Gruber Baldini study
21 couples and found those who were similar in educational level and age at start of relationship were more likely to stay together
Sprecher study
Found that couples who were matched in physical attractiveness, social background and interests were more likely to develop a long-term relationship
Kerckhoff and Davis
Longitudinal study of couples who has been together for about 18 months. Asked to complete several questionnaires over a 7 month period in which they reported on attitude similarity and personality traits with their partner. It was found that attitude similarity was the most important factor up to about 18 months into a relationship. After this psychological compatibility and the ability to meet each others needs became important
Winch study
Found that happy marriages are often based on each partners ability to fulfil the needs of the other e.g women who displayed a need to be nurturant were often married to men who needed to be nurtured.
AO2 Filter model- Methodological commentary
Self report methods used so risk of social desirability of answers may exaggerate or over emphasise
Longitudinal- can’t remember or accurate perception
Outdated model, non experimental research
AO2 Filter Model IDA
Potential cultural bias- doesn’t account for arranged marriages
Uses westernised ideas people matched based on religion/wealth/ ethnicity/culture by parents or family.
Alternative explanations: Filter model has more factors considers personality and not just matching hypothesis more practical applications for filter model- dating sites
PA: dating sites match people up based on interests values and other factors. Tinder etc
Other AO2: Temporal- easier to contact people now- Skype
complex matching- other desirable characteristics
Social exchange theory AO1
Humans suggests we are attracted to those who provide us with economic reward especially when in short supply. SET involves the exchange of resources and it the development depends on how mutually beneficial the relationship feels
Rewards = money, attention, status, gratification, pleasure
Costs= financial costs, emotional and physical pain, disappointment and embarrassment.
Females tend to see intimacy and self-growth as rewards
Males see sexual gratification as reward and monetary losses as a cost
Outcome= Rewards- Costs
Minimax strategy
Thibaut and Kelly
When in a relationship we try to minimise costs but maximise benefits. Relationships will last longer if the rewards exceeds the costs
SET AO2
RE: Rustbelt found that peoples satisfaction alternatives and investments all predicted how committed they were to their relationship and whether it lasted. Supported by other researches with samples from married and homosexual couples and in different cultures.
Validity questioned: short term and long term - different results (Floyd, clarke and Mills)
IDA: Cultural bias- westernised ideas
PA: Behavioural marital therapy