CH10 - Relationships and attraction Flashcards
What are the 2 types of relationships that exist?
🡪Communal relationship: relationship in which the ind feel a special responsibility for one another and give/receive according to the principle of need = often long term
🡪Exchange relationship: relationship in which ind feel little responsibility towards one-another. Giving/receiving are governed by concerns abt equity/reciprocity = usually short term
Which theory has the following definition?
how ppl feel about a relationship depends on their assessment of its cost/rewards + what they believe alternative relationships can offer
Social exchange theory
Why is there often a good relationship between a gay man and a heterosexual woman?
They know counterpart has no romantic/sexual agenda, and this is based on the reward principle
What are the two types of comparisons relationships rely on?
Comparison level: expectations ppl have abt what they think they deserve/expect to get out a relationship - if it’s high, they
expect a lot from relationships
Comparison level for alternatives: expectations ppl have abt what they can get out of available, alternative relationships
What is the equity theory?
The idea that ppl are motivated to pursue fairness/equity in relationships – considered equitable when benefits are proportionate to effort both ppl put into it
Relationships can feel equitable even if 1 person gets more out of it if the person as long as they put in a lot of effort as well
What is attachment theory?
Early attachment w parents/caregivers shape relationships for person’s whole life.
Parent security = explore in safe env, dev of ‘working models’ of how relationships are based on parents’ availability+responsiveness
What are the characteristics of secure attachment styles?
Easy to get close to others
Comfortable depending + being dependent
Ø worries abt being abandoned / getting too close
Greater life-satisfaction, less likely to experience breakups
What are the characteristics of an anxious-ambivalent attachment style?
Others = reluctant to get as close as I’d like
Worry abt partner not loving me
Want to merge completely => scare ppl away
What are the characteristics of an avoidant attachment style?
Uncomfortable being close
Hard to trust completely + allow self to be dependent
Partners want to be more intimate than I feel comf being
What are the two dimensions of attachment?
Anxiety = fear of rejection
A facet of attachment that captures the degree to which a person is worried abt rejection + abandonment by relationship partners
Avoidance = discomfort w intimacy
Facet of attachment that captures the degree to which a person is comfortable w intimacy + dependence on relationship partners
What are factors for being attracted to someone?
- proximity
- functional distance
- mere exposure effect
What is the status exchange theory?
romantic attraction increases when 2 individuals complement each other in terms of their social status by offering each other elevated status, through romantic partnership, where they themselves are lacking
Describe the halo effect?
makes it to believe they’ve got more positive qualities going beyond appearance
What are the three overall kinds of love?
- Companionate
- Friends + family
- Trust, share activities + interests
- Like to be around - Compassionate
- Communal relationship
- Focus on monitoring + responding to other person’s need - Romantic
- To be ‘in love’
- Intense emotion, sexual attraction
- Passionate love, especially in the beginning – patterns of touch, cuddling, sexual behaviour
What are the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse?
= most problematic behaviors in relationships
Criticism Defensiveness Stonewalling Contempt Blame
