Seeking intimate relationships (part 1) Flashcards
What is love?
A strong emotional bond with another person that involves sexual desire, a longing to be with the person, a preference to put the other person’s interests ahead of one’s own, and a willingness to forgive the other person’s transgressions.
Lamana et al., 2018
What are the key components of love according to Lamana et al., 2018?
- Acceptance of partners for themselves
- Empathy and commitment
- Willingness to work through problems and conflicts
- Consciously investing in the relationship
What are the characteristics of committed lovers?
- Have fun together
- Share tedious times
- Express themselves freely
- Do not see problems as indications that their relationship is over
- Work to maintain their relationship
Lamana et al., 2018
What drives are related to love according to biologists?
- Sex drive
- Attachment drive
- Partner preference
What hormones are important for male and female sexual behavior?
- Testosterone
- Estrogen
These hormones increase libido and cause desire for sexual encounters.
What are the ‘love chemicals’ mentioned?
- Dopamine
- Nor-epinephrine
- Serotonin
- Oxytocin
- Vasopressin
What role does serotonin play in love?
Responsible for ‘OCD’ traits when you are in love (e.g., constant thoughts about the loved one).
What is oxytocin commonly referred to as?
The cuddle hormone, released during hugs and breastfeeding.
What does the Two Component Theory of Love suggest?
Different emotions can produce similar kinds of physical arousal, and physical arousal can produce specific emotions.
What is the difference between aloneness and loneliness?
Aloneness is spending time in solitude; loneliness is the feeling of being isolated from desired relationships.
What is social loneliness?
Less interpersonal interaction than desired.
What is emotional loneliness?
Fewer intimate relationships than desired, resulting from lack of romantic intimacy and/or family intimacy.
What are some symptoms associated with loneliness?
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Constant worry and anxiety
- Irrational fears
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling irritable and angry
- Feeling guilt
- Crying spells
- Feeling tired
- Insomnia
- Pains in the heart
- Trouble breathing
- Poor appetite
- Headaches
- Digestive problems
- Loss of interest in sex
- Feelings of being overweight or feeling fat
- Suffering from a serious disease
- Feeling that you just can’t go on
What are the components of intimacy according to Erikson?
- Openness
- Mutual sharing
- Trust
- Self-abandonment
- Commitment
What factors influence first impressions?
- General appearance
- Non-verbal cues (50-80% of meaning)
- Verbal cues (opening lines)
What are three important factors that attract people to each other?
- Physical attractiveness
- Similarity
- Proximity/familiarity
What is the significance of self-esteem in attraction?
We are attracted to people with higher or the same level of self-esteem.
What is the role of competition in dating according to conflict theory?
Competition enhances social position and status in dating.
What are the influences on dating patterns?
- Social norms
- Speed dating
- Internet dating
What findings did the PAIR project reveal?
- Kindness and concern for the other create a positive emotional climate in marriage
- Divorce cannot be predicted from how spouses function shortly after marriage
What is assortative mating?
A filtering process where people commit to and marry individuals of similar race, age, education, and social class.
Why is online dating popular?
- Accessible
- Affordable
- Anonymity
What is a key difference in intimacy development between online and face-to-face relationships?
Intimacy develops faster online due to higher levels of self-disclosure.
What are the stages of relationship development?
- Initial meeting and awareness
- The selection process
- Developing intimacy
- Maintaining or dissolving the relationship
What are the four things shared in self-disclosure?
- Sharing of emotions
- Sharing of needs
- Sharing of thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and fantasies
- Sharing of self-awareness
What is the dyadic boundary in a relationship?
The boundary within which it is safe to share personal information with one’s partner.
What are ingredients of a long-term love relationship?
*Acceptence
* Effective communication
* Commitment
* Ability to let go of resentments
* Shared dreams, interest and goals
* Ability to manage conflict effectively
