Relationships-(Attraction + partner preferences) + (Theories of romantic Relationships) Flashcards
3 factors affecting overall attraction
-Physical attraction
-Self-disclosure
-Filter theory
what is found to be physically attractive in all people
Why
-Symmetrical faces = may indicate genetic fitness
-Faces with Neotenous features (baby-face) = trigger protective caring instinct and show fertility
what is found to be physically attractive in Men
-Mature features =
Square Jaw
Little eyes
Thin lips
what is found to be physically attractive in women
Childlike features =
-Large + widely separated eyes
-A small nose
-small chin
-narrow cheeks
The Halo effect
-Physical attractiveness has a disproportionate influence on the judgement of persons attributes e.g: personality
-Good looking people are ‘better people’ and are seen as more Kind, Strong, sociable and successful
-Karen Dion coined the phrase= ‘What is beautiful is good’
The Matching hypothesis theory
-People choose romantic partners who are roughly similar physical attractiveness to themselves
-We make a realistic judgement of our own value to a potential partner
Because
If they’re not as attractive as us = settling too much
Ig they’re too attractive = aiming too high, avoid being rejected
On the whole, physical attraction is important in…
attraction and thus the formation of relationships
Key points of Self disclosure
-SD is important in forming relationships
-Revealing personal information about yourself
-The more we learn about a person, the more we like them
-The more we share, the more our partner understands us
-Self disclosure is a key component of the Social Penetration theory
p
p
the Social Penetration theory
factors
_developed by Altman + Taylor 1973
-as you disclose more and more, you ‘penetrate ‘ more deeply into each others lives
-Two elements = breadth + depth
-breadth = start of rel. = superficial info
-Depth= As it develops
-As the rel. develops, remove more layers to reveal true selves (^in breadth + depth)
-Eventually willing to reveal high risk info
- Reciprocity, Reward, balance = factors which have positive effects
How are Reciprocity, Reward, balance factors which have positive effects on self disclosure
Reciprocity is vital
partner responds in rewarding way = understanding, empathy, their own thoughts and feelings
Balance of SD increases feelings of intimacy
On the whole, the self disclosure theory suggests that
Self disclosure affects levels of attraction
Who developed the Filter theory
Kerckhoff + Davis (1962)
Three main filters in Filter theory
Social demography
Similarity in attitudes
Complementarity
What is Social demography in the filter theory
outcome
Factors influencing chance of potential partners meeting
-Geographical location, social class, level of education, ethnic group, religion…
-More likely to meet people who are close.
-Key benefit of this is accessibility
-others who are too ‘different’ are discounted
-Outcome of this filter = homogamy = more likely to form relationships with those who are socially and culturally similar
What is similarity in attitudes in filter theory
partners often share important beliefs and values, partially due to social demography
-Found this is only important for relationships less than 18 months
- higher need for agreement in early stages as this promotes greater communication and Self Disclosure
-Without similarity and things in common, relationships is likely to fizzle out
What is complementarity
e.g:
Ability of romantic partners to meet each others needs. Two partners complement each other when they have traits the other lacks.
-E.g: one person loves laughing, other loves making jokes
-More important for long term couples
Evolutionary explanations of partner preferences
-Partner preferences are governed by…
which 2 theories is this linked to
-Partner preferences are governed by our innate drive to propagate our genes (reproduce)
-This is linked to both Sexual selection and parental investment theory
Sexual selection theory
intro
-we have evolved and adapted due to competition for mates
-Any trait that increases reproductive success will become increasingly exaggerated over time (i.e: selected)
2 Types of selection - sexual selection theory
Partner preferences
1) Inter - selection (between sexes)
2) Intra-selection (within sexes) (men compete with men)
list the 5 Key traits in sexual selection
-indicators of quality mate
-Signalling Oestrus
-Mating strategies
-Physical attributes
-Parental investment
Why do the 5 key traits in sexual selection occur?
Anisogamy =
Difference in sex cells
Females = limited Ovum
Males = loads of cum
Indicators of quality mate trait
-Men prefer young, healthy looking women with an hour glass figure
-Women prefer strong, Mature, resourced healthy looking men
Signalling of oestrus trait
-Men =attracted to fertile women
-Women have evolved an Oestrus period which signals the Fertile days in the menstrual cycle
-Men prefer women during Oestrus
-psychologists have researched this in terms of Dance
mating strategies trait
-Males prefer quantity over quality (more casual sex)
-Men find women less attractive after sex
-Women choose quality over quantity
-Women = more choosy
Physical attributes Trait
Males have evolved due to male competition =
-Larger penises
-Larger testicles
-Faster swimming sperm
Parental investment trait
Partner preferences
-Evolutionary psychologists argue:
-Women invest more in offspring than men
-This affects their partner preferences
-Women are choosier and seek men with recourses fir long term relationships
-Men focus on dating beautiful young women for short term relationships
On the whole, Evolutionary psychologists argue that partner preferences are …
governed by sexual selection which related to sex cells
who put forward Social exchange theory
Thibaut and Kelley in 1959
Social Exchange theory
-maintenance
-Economic- relationships analogous to business activity
-Cost-reward analysis
-If rewards outweigh costs = stay in relationship
-Rewards also depend on two comparison levels:
CL (comparison level) = Compare to past relationship
CL Alt (alternatives) = alternative partners
-are 4 stages of relationships
4 stages of relationships
Social exchange theory
-Sampling
-Bargaining
-commitment
-Institutionalised (don’t even consider rewards + costs)
Equity theory
-maintenance
-Economic theory
-Profit loss analysis
- Satisfied = fairness + balance
-Still want rewards
-Equality does not equal equity
-Own perceived fairness = satisfied
-under benefitted = resentment, irritation
-Over benefitted = Guilty, bored
(OTW, Equity theory suggests
Relationships are maintained if they are fair
who developed investment model of romantic relationships
Rusbult (2011)
according t Rusbult, what 3 factors does commitment to a relationship depend on
-satisfaction level
-Comparison with alternatives
-Investment size
The Investment model is an extension of which model
Social exchange theory
What is an Investment in Rusbults investment model
4 types of investment
anything a person puts into a relationship that will be lost if they leave it.
Tangible = money or possessions
Intangible = emotion, effort, energy
Extrinsic= did not previously feature in relationship but now do = house, friends, memories
Intrinsic = take to relationship
When would a person be COMMITTED in a relationship according to Rusbults investment model
(acknowlge all 3 factors)
-Rewards outweigh costs (satisfaction high)
-Alternatives are less attractive
-Investment Increasing
according to Rusbult, what is the main psychological factor that causes people to stay in a relationship
COMMITMENT
What 5 mechanisms are used to promote relationship maintenance when a partner is dissatisfied
Rusbult’s investment Model
-Accommodation - act to promote relationship
-Willingness to Sacrifice - Put partners interest first
-Forgiveness= for anything that hurt them
-Positive illusions = remain completely positive about relationship
-Ridiculing alternatives = stop themselves from finding alternatives
Duck’s 4 phases of relationship breakdown and their thresholds
1)Intra-psychic phase (‘i can’t stand this anymore’)
2)Dyadic phase (‘I would be justified in withdrawing’)
3)Social phase (dissatisfied partner ‘i mean it’)
4)Grave dressing phase (‘it’s now inevitable’)
what is Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown
The ending of a relationship goes through four distinct phases.
-Each stage marked by a threshold. = a point where their perception of the relationship changes (usually for worse).
-Breakup begins when a partner realises they are dissatisfied with the relationship and distressed about the way things are going
Intra-psychic phase of Duck’s phase mode of relationship breakdown
1st stage
Threshold: ‘I can’t stand this anymore’
Focus of cognitive processes occurring within the indiv.
-Focus on reasons for dissatisfaction -> Partners shortcomings.
-Weigh up pros and cons of relationship. Evaluate against alternatives (including being alone).
-Begin to make plans for future
Dyadic phase of Ducks phase model of relationship breakdown
2nd stage
Threshold: ‘I would be justified in withdrawing’
-Focus on interpersonal processes between the partners.
- Confrontations - relationship discussed, dissatisfactions aired.
e.g: anxiety, hostility, complaints about lack of equity, imbalance of roles resentment, rethinking commitment.
Outcomes :
-Continue to break up
-desire to repair it
Self disclosure is deeper in this stage
Social phase of ducks phase model of relationship breakdown
3rd stage
Threshold: ‘i mean it’
Focus on Wider processes involving couple’s social networks.
-Break up is made public
-Partners seek support and forge pacts
-Mutual friends have to choose a side
-Some friends provide reinforcement + reassurance
-Some friends place blame on one or other partner
-Some provide previously secret info to hasten break up
-Some may try help to fix relationship
-Usually point of no return . Driven by social forces
Grave dressing phase of Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown
4th stage
threshold. ‘it’s now inevitable’
Focus on the aftermath
-Create a favourable story about the breakdown for public.
-allows partners to maintain positive reputation
-Usually at expense of other partner, showing them in a bad light
-Gossip is crucial . Crucial that each partner tries to retain social credit. by blaming everything and everyone but themselves.
-Also create own private story of events that you can live with. More to do with tidying up memories.
-Reinterpret past endearing traits of partner from as negative (helps not to look back)
Finally reaches threshold ‘time to get a new life’
