relationships exam questions Flashcards
1
Q
explain what is meant by sexual selection
2 marks
A
- key part of Darwins theory
- explains how evolution is driven by competition for mates and the development of characteristics which ensure reproduction success
2
Q
explain one limitation of the sexual selection explanation for partner preferences
4 marks
A
- gender differences for mate preferences might stem from cultural traditions rather than being the result of evolved characteristics
- the fact than women have been denied economic power in many cultures might be the reason for their tendency to rely on economic resources provided by men
- we shouldn’t underestimate the role of social and economic factors in establishing mate preferences
3
Q
briefly outline and evaluate the findings of one research study into evolutionary explanations for partner preferences
A
- Buss found that women desired mates with good financial prospects
- this translated into a desire for men with resources or qualities such as ambition
- however these results could be down to cultural traditions rather than evolutionary forces
- women may just look for men who provide economic resources as in the past women have been denied economic power.
- we shouldn’t underestimate the role of cultural traditions in establishing mate preferences
4
Q
explain what is meant by the matching hypothesis
2 marks
A
-claims that when people look for a partner for a romantic relationship, they tend to look for someone whose social desirability equals their own
5
Q
briefly outline an evaluate the findings of one research study of the matching hypothesis
4 marks
A
- Walster’s study didn’t support the matching hypothesis
- regardless of their own physical attractiveness, participants responded more positively to physically attractive dates and were more likely to arrange dates with them if they were attractive
- his study can be supported by Taylor who replicated results and showed that the matching hypothesis is incorrect
- Taylor found no evidence that daters decisions were driven by a similarity between their own and potential partners physical attractiveness.
- Shows that Walster’s study is high in validity
6
Q
outline and evaluate the role of physical attractiveness in attraction
8 marks
A
- Buss’s research showed that men placed greater importance on physical attractiveness with choosing mate. Physical attractiveness is importance due to women’s health and fertility
- men more likely than women to rely on physical attractiveness in long term relationship
- if physical attractiveness in long term partners is more important for males, then research should shows that males with physically attract uptime partners are more satisfied with relationship
- this claim is supported by Meltzer.
- Found that ratings of wives’ attractiveness were positively related to levels of husband’s satisfaction at beginning of marriage
- supports idea on men paying more value on attractiveness when looking for long term partners, then women
7
Q
explain what is meant by self disclosure
2 marks
A
- when a person reveals intimate information about themselves to another person
- it is an important process in the development of a Romaric relationship as it builds trust between the two people
8
Q
Outline research into self disclosure and its importance in attraction
4 marks
A
- Sprecher used two person dyads to engage in self disclosure task over Skype
- in reciprocal condition , dyads members took turns to self disclosure
- in the other condition, one person asked questions whilst the other disclosed
- found that in the reciprocal condition, dyads reported more liking, closeness and enjoyment of interaction, than in non reciprocal condition.
- shows that turn- taking self disclosure is more likely to lead to positive interpersonal outcomes
9
Q
outline and evaluate the role of self disclosure in attraction
8 marks
A
- define self disclosure
- shown that people reveal more intimate info to those they like and also tend to like those whom they have revealed intimate info to
- research support from Collins and Miller
- found that those who engage in intimate disclosures tend to be liked more than those who disclose at lower levels
- supports central role that self disclosure plays in the development and maintenance of romantic relationships
- problem is that self disclosure varies culturally
- in west people engage in more intimate self disclosures than the non Westerners
- cultural norms shape how comfortable people are in self disclosing
- Japanese women prefer lower level of personal conversations than Japanese men
- findings from studies can’t be applied to everyone universally
10
Q
Outline the filter theory of attraction in romantic relationships
6 marks
A
- define filter theory
- social demography= variables such as age, social background and geographical location that determine likelihood of individuals meeting in the first place.
- similarly of attitudes = been shown to be important at the start of relationship and the best predictor of the relationship becoming stable
- complementarity of needs = how well two people fit together as a couple and meet eachothers needs
11
Q
Briefly evaluate the filters theory of attraction in romantic relationships
4 marks
A
- problem = complementary of needs may not be that important
- research study used single college members on dating site who were looking for long term mate. Personalities measured and were asked to rate personality characteristics they desired in a mate.
- results = strong correlations between individuals own personality and their ideal partners personality
- supports the similarity attraction hypothesis rather than complementary of needs hypothesis
12
Q
Outline one study of the filter theory of attraction in romantic relationships
6 marks
A
- Kerckhoff and Davis = dating couples completed questionnaire assessing degree to which they shared attitudes/values and the degree of complementary of needs
- months later couples completed another questionnaire assessing how close they felt to their partner now compared to start of experiment
- initially, only similarity appeared to be related to partner closeness
- when couples divided into short and long term , found that those in short term , similarity of attitudes was the most significant predictor of how close they felt to their partner. In long term couples complemtary of needs was predictive of his close couples were
13
Q
Explain what is meant by the term social exchange as it applies to romantic relationships
2 marks
A
-the likelihood of a person staying in a relationship is determined by an assessment of what they get out of the relationship compared to what they put in, and how the relationship measures up against what they expect and what they might achieve in a different relationship
14
Q
Outline research into the social exchange theory of relationships
6 marks
A
- Kurdek and Schmitt
- investigated importance of social exchange factors in determining relationship quality
- heterosexual married couples, co habiting heterosexual couples, same sex male couples and same sex female couples
- found that for each type of couple, greater relationship satisfaction was associated with the perception of benefits of the current relationship and seeing alternatives as less attractive
- support comparison level and comparison level of alternatives in social exchange . These factors predict satisfaction in different types of relationships
15
Q
Evaluate the social exchange theory of romantic relationships
8 marks
A
- strength = evidence for influence of comparison level of alternatives
- Sprecher found that in relationships where comparison level for alternatives was higher, commitment and satisfaction with current relationship was high
- supports idea that comparison level for alternatives is a factor that determines whether an individual stays in a relationship
- problem = problem of assessing costs and benefits. What might be considered rewarding to one person might not be for another. Give example.
- difficult to classify all events as either costs or benefits. Not all relationships work like this
- real world application. Integrated behavioural couples therapy increase proportion of positive exchanges, decreases negative exchanges. Shown to work. Researcher treated over 60 couples 2/3 said improvements
