Relationships - Factors affecting Attraction

Question 1

What is attraction?

Answer 1

The interest in and liking another person, or the mutual interest and liking between two or more individuals.

Question 2

The 4 factors affecting attraction

Answer 2

1) Self-disclosure
2) Physical attractiveness
3) The matching hypothesis
4) Filter Theory

Question 3

Self-disclosure

Answer 3

• Self-disclosure is the idea that relationship formation is built on trust with another person, which is demonstrated by gradually revealing personal information, such as thoughts, feelings and experiences that they might share with anyone else.
• Disclosing thoughts and feelings and allowing a partner to reveal their ‘true selves’ leads to greater intimacy in romantic relationships, and ultimately to more satisfaction.
• The factors of this self disclosure - appropriateness of information (over the top), their attributions (reasons why), gender (males do this less) and content (social norms)
• Altman and Taylor - key part of Social Penetration Theory; this theory claims that by gradually revealing emotions and experiences and listening to their reciprocal sharing, people gain a greater understanding of each other and display trust which strengthens relationships

Question 4

The dimensions of social penetration theory in self-disclosure

Answer 4

Self-disclosure has two dimensions: breadth and depth.
- Social Penetration Theory uses an ‘onion metaphor’ to describe these dimensions: at first, people often share a lot of information about certain aspects of themselves (depth), but consider some topics to be ‘off-limit’ (breadth).
- As they build trust in their partner’s understanding, breadth increases and then depth also increases. In the beginning, people only disclose superficial details about themselves, such as their music taste, hobbies and interests, and gradually move to revealing more intimate details, such as religious and political beliefs, family values and difficult experiences

Question 5

Evidence for self-disclosure

Answer 5

→ Derlega; Maladapted people are seen less favourably
→ Kleinke; Specifically chosen for information makes us special
→ Dindia; Females see disclosure as more of a sign of intimacy
→ Kito; Disclosure is cross cultural in romantic relationships

Question 6

Evaluating self disclosure

Answer 6

• Most research does not distinguish between romantic and friendly relationships
• Unlikely that partner selection is based on disclosure
  + Increases attractiveness of personality

Question 7

Physical attractiveness

Answer 7

• Immediate way of assessing people’s partners
• Physical attractive generally assume personality traits (Halo)
• Males - muscularity and symmetry
• Females - youth, slimness and fertility

Evidence:
→ Brigham; Physically attractive peoples are thought to be more sociable and exciting
→ Gunnell; Less attractive people are more likely to be convicted of crimes and given longer sentences

Question 8

The Matching Hypothesis

Answer 8

• Partners seek those who are most like themselves in levels of attractiveness
• Rejection and stability thought to be less of an issue

Evidence:
→ Walster; Ideal partners at a dance, those at same level were happier
→ Murstein; Photographs of couples who are genuine are more the same
→ Taylor; Online dating sites do not show same results for matching hypothesis

Question 9

Evaluation of physical attractiveness and matching hypothesis

Answer 9

• Walster’s theory has been disregarded as only looking at physical attractiveness
• Physical attractiveness in the beginning is the best indicator of people wanting to meet
• You can be attractive in other ways
• Evolution suggests men value physical attractiveness more than women
• Arranged marriages are not based on physical attractiveness

Question 10

Filter Theory

Answer 10

Kerckhoff and Davis:
Choose partners based on factors which ‘narrow the field’:
1) Social demographic variables; Increases communication
2) Similarity of attitudes; Improves compatibility
3) Complementarity; Meeting of needs

Evidence -
→ Festinger. Next to staircase leads to more friends
→ Taylor. 85% Americans married in own ethnic group
→ Sadalla. Women like reliable, self confident men

Question 11

Evaluation of filter theory

Answer 11

• Changes over time
• Age is a limiting factor not considered
• Research focussing on how much someone is liked, not their level of attractiveness
• Research is culturally biased

Question 12

does Emily smell

Answer 12

yes