Relationships (definitions) Flashcards
The halo effect
The tendency to attribute positive character traits (such as intelligence and kindness) to physically attractive people
Neotenous features
Baby-like features including large eyes, a delicate chin, and a small nose, which trigger protective instincts
The matching hypothesis
The claim that we are attracted to people who approximately ‘match’ us in physical attractiveness
Self disclosure
Gradually and systematically revealing personal information about yourself (including preferences, hopes, interests, and beliefs) to a romantic partner
Social penetration theory
The claim that romantic relationships progress through mutual self-disclosure, which increases understanding and trust
Breadth of self disclosure
The range of topics available for discussion, dependent on the stage of the relationship (from age and hobbies to religion and children)
Depth of self disclosure
The intensity of information revealed, dependent on the stage of the relationship (from likes and dislikes to painful memories and strongly-held beliefs)
Reciprocity of self disclosure
A key feature of successful self disclosure is that it is reciprocated; self disclosure from one person is met with self disclosure from the other, making the relationship deeper and more intimate
Filter theory
A theory of the process by which we limit our ‘field of availables’ to a ‘field of desirables’
Social demography
The 1st level of the filter, where you filter out potential partners who differ too much in geographical location, social class, education level, ethnic group, religion etc
Similarity of attitudes
The 2nd level of the filter, where you filter out potential partners who do not share your important beliefs and values
Complementarity
The 3rd level of the filter, where you filter out potential partners who do not ‘complement’ your character, i.e. have traits which you lack
Social exchange theory
A theory of how relationships form and develop, modelling relationships as series of transactions in which each partner aims to maximise their gains and minimise their losses.
Comparison level
The amount of reward you think you deserve from a relationship, based on previous relationships, social norms, and self-esteem
Comparison level for alternatives
Whether you think you could gain greater rewards and fewer costs in a different relationship, based on the quality of your current relationship
Equity theory
A theory of the development of romantic relationships which claims that successful relationships will involve each partner having a fair ratio of costs to rewards, not necessarily the most rewards
Benevolents
Individuals who are prepared to put in more to a relationship than they get out
Entitleds
Individuals who believe they should get more out of a relationship than they put in, without feeling guilty
Satisfaction
The extent to which romantic partners feel the benefits of their relationship exceed the costs
Rusbult’s investment model
A theory of the development of romantic relationships which claims that commitment depends on satisfaction, CLalts, and investment
Intrinsic investments
Resources we put directly into a relationship e.g. money (tangible) and energy (intangible)
Extrinsic investments
Resources that come to feature in a relationship during its course e.g. children (tangible) and shared memories (intangible)
Accomodation
Acting to promote the relationship
Willingness to sacrifice
Putting a partner’s interests first
Forgiveness
Forgiving a partner for serious transgressions
Positive illusions
Unrealistic positive regard for a partner
Ridiculing alternatives
Negative perceptions of alternatives and other relationships
Commitment
A romantic partner’s desire to continue a relationship, reflecting that they believe it to have long-term potential
Relationship maintenance mechanisms
Commitment expressed in everyday behaviours
Intra-psychic phase
The dissatisfied partner internally broods over the reasons for their dissatisfaction, keeping their thoughts to themselves or sharing them with a close friend.
Dyadic phase
The couple airs and discusses their dissatisfaction through a series of confrontations, characterised by anger, hostility, and resentment. At this point they either decide to fix the relationship, or continue the breakup.
Social phase
The breakup is made public and each partner seeks support. Friends input gossip, encouragement, reassurance, judgement, and information.
Grave-dressing phase
Both partners aim to create a favourable account of the breakup for both public (including future partners) consumption, and private closure.
Sexual selection
An evolutionary process in which characteristics that increase reproductive success (though may appear disadvantageous) are passed on and may become exaggerated over generations
Human reproductive behaviour
Behaviour relating to opportunities to reproduce and pass on genes, including mate choice and mate competition
The sexy sons hypothesis
A female will mate with a male with desirable characteristics, which will be passed on to their son, increasing his chance of reproductive success and the chance that these characteristics will continue to be passed on.
The runaway process
A desirable male characteristic will be chosen by a female and passed on. Over generations female preference for the characteristic will increase, and hence so will the frequency of this characteristic.
Entertainment-social level
Least intense parasocial relationship: celebrities are a source of entertainment and fuel for social interaction
Intense-personal level
Intermediate parasocial relationship: having a greater personal involvement with a celebrity, including obsessing over them
Borderline pathological
Most intense parasocial relationship: completely worshipping a celebrity, having uncontrollable fantasies and acting extremely
Absorption
The individual focuses all their attention on the celebrity, becoming pre-occupied by their existence
Addiction
The individual needs to feel a stronger and closer involvement with the celebrity to feel satisfied (like with a drug addiction)
Parasocial relationship
A relationship resembling a normal relationship, but that is one-sided and unreciprocated between a celebrity and a fan.
Boom and bust phenomenon
CMC relationships tend to begin and end more quickly that FtF ones as self-disclosure happens earlier, but the level of interaction isn’t matched by the level of trust.
Selective self-presentation
In online communication, the individual has more time to manipulate their messages to control what they disclose and what cues they send
Gate
Any factor which is an obstacle to the formation of a relationship
