3.2: The factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships

Question 1

Which two of A, B, C, D and E are important factors in attraction according to the filter theory of attraction?
A: Personal compliments
B: Profit and loss
C: Self-disclosure
D: Similarity in attitude
E: Social demography
(2 marks)

Answer 1

D and E

Question 2

Explain what is meant by self-disclosure as a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships (2 marks)

Answer 2

Self-disclosure concerns the revealing of personal information about oneself to another person.
Self-disclosure is crucial to the development of a more intimate romantic relationship

Question 3

Research into self-disclosure often uses self-reports.

Explain one limitation of self-reports in investigating self-disclosure (2 marks)

Answer 3

One limitation of self-reports in investigating self-disclosure is that participants might not give full and honest answers about the degree to which they self-disclose.
For example, they might give idealised answers, where they answer as to how much they would like to self-disclose rather than how much they actually do