Relationships Flashcards
Factors affecting attraction: Self-Disclosure
Social penetration theory
Self disclosure is revealing personal information about yourself as the relationship develops
Social penetration theory of how relationships develops. Gradual process of revealing your inner self and reciprocal exchange of information
Basic feature at a certain stage, self disclosure will be welcomed
Factors affecting attraction: Self Disclosure
Breadth and depth
2 elements = breadth and depth
We disclose a lot of low risk information at the beginning but many topics are off limits
As it develops SD becomes deeper and more things are revealed
Factors affecting attraction: Self disclosure
Reciprocity
There needs to be a reciprocal element to disclosure
Once something is revealed the partner responds in a way that is rewarding
There’s a balance of SD between both partners
Evaluation Factors affecting attraction: Research studies
LAURENCEAU
Found SD and the perception of it were linked to higher levels of intimacy and less intimate couple disclose less
Increase our confidence in the validity of the theory and that it leads to more satisfying relationships
Factors affecting attraction: Self disclosure real-life applications
Real life application to improve communication in their relationships
Factors affecting attraction: Physical attractiveness
The halo effect
We have preconceived ideas about personality traits of attractive people - universally positive. We behave positively towards them
Factors affecting attraction: Physical attractiveness
The matching hypothesis
States that people choose romantic partners who are roughly or similar physical attractiveness
We make realistic judgment about our own value
We avoid the most physically attractive from fear of rejection
Evaluation Factors affecting attraction: Physical attractiveness
Halo Effect
Physically attractive people are rated as more politically knowledgeable even when people knew they had no expertise. Examples in everyday life shows PA is an important factor.
Evaluation Factors affecting attraction: Physical attractiveness
Individual differences
TOWHEY
Found P’s who scored highly on the MACHO scale were more influenced by physical attractiveness. Lower scorers were less sensitive to this influence and shows physical attractiveness importance varies.
Factors affecting attraction: Filter theory
Social Demography
Similarity in attitudes
Complementarity
1st level
Geological location, social class, level of education. More realisitic factors
2nd level
Share important beliefs and values
3rd level
Ability to meet each others needs. Complement each others traits
Evaluation Factors affecting attraction: Filter theory
Failure to replicate
Orginial findings that formed the basis of the theory have failed to have been replicated. Social change over time
Problems applying filter theory even to heterosexual couples in individualist cultures.
Evaluation Factors affecting attraction: Filter theory
Cause and effect
Longitudinal study are more similar in their emotional responses over time rather than geographical location
This finding is not predicted in the theory.
Social Exchange Theory: Rewards, costs, profits
Economic assumptions
