Chapter 9

Question 1

propinquity effect (the person next door)

Answer 1

•One of the simplest determinants of interpersonal attraction is proximity sometimes called propinquity
–The finding that the more we see and interact with people, the more likely they are to become our friends.

Question 2

why does propinquity effect work

Answer 2

-The propinquity effect works because of familiarity or the mere exposure effect
–The finding that the more exposure we have to a stimulus, the more apt we are to like it.
-Unless feelings towards someone are negative

Question 3

attraction and propinquity rely on

Answer 3

–Actual physical distance
–Psychological, Functional distance:
–Aspects of architectural design that make it likely for some people t o come in contact with each other more often than others

Question 4

forming relationships online

Answer 4

–Bridging physical distance but connecting
psychologically( affectively)
-Research shows people are more comfortable revealing their “true” self over the internet than in
-Extroverts and introverts (social skills)
-Social compensation hypothesis is when introverts use online media to develop relationships that they can not form in person.
-The success of online relationships depends partly on whether they continue offline as well.

Question 5

similarity

Answer 5

•Physical space and proximity do not determine relationships but areas of shared interests, backgrounds, attitudes, beliefs, and values.
• Similarity is a strong predictor of attraction in both friendships and romantic relationships
–Especially similarity in attitudes and values.

Question 6

concept of similarity

Answer 6

like us

Question 7

concept of complementarity

Answer 7

opposites

Question 8

reciprocal liking

Answer 8

–Is liking someone who likes us in return.
–Is one of the prime determinants of interpersonal attraction
–It can make up for the absence of similarity
–Will only have an influence if you like yourself in the first place.

Question 9

physical attractiveness and liking

Answer 9

• Although people may not admit it, research shows physical attractiveness strongly influences liking
• Look, height, body sizes and weight, ……
• Attractiveness is a strong predictor of desirability
• Very important factor in creating first impression

Question 10

what is attractive?

Answer 10

–Both sexes prefer large eyes, prominent cheekbones, and a big smile.
–Males also prefer a female face with a small nose and chin.
–Females also prefer a male face with a large chin
–Heterosexual women are attracted to men with masculine features
-Associated with high levels of male hormones

Question 11

cultures and attractiveness

Answer 11

•There is considerable agreement across cultures on what is considered attractive in the human face.
•Physically attractive people often get preferential treatment.
– Attractiveness is perceived to be associated with many desirable traits
–Cultural Stereotypes and attractiveness:
-Attractiveness and intelligence
-Attractiveness and social competence
-Attractiveness and social interactions

Question 12

two types of love

Answer 12

1. companionate love
2. passionate love
   • The way people define love will determine how they act in their close relationships

Question 13

companionate love

Answer 13

the feelings of intimacy and affection we feel for another person when we care
deeply

Question 14

passionate love

Answer 14

the feeling of intense longing accompanied by physiological arousal we feel for
another person.

Question 15

gender and love

Answer 15

• Men fall in love more quickly than women and are more likely to endorse romantic beliefs such as ‘true love lasts forever’.
• Men report more than women that they experienced love at first sight
• Recent findings show that there are similarities in both genders’ definitions and experiences of love.

Question 16

culture and love

Answer 16

• While love is universal, there are cultural
differences in definition, value, and experience of love.
– Romantic and passionate love are less valued in collectivist cultures than in individualist.
– People from collectivist cultures are more likely to value and identify with companionate love.

Question 17

why do we love

Answer 17

–Men are attracted to women’s appearances while women are attracted by men’s resources.
–Reproduction is more costly for females and less costly for males.
–These costs cause women to prefer men who can provide resources and support for their children, unlike males who only look out for women who can reproduce offspring
– Both men and women value someone who is warm, loving, honest, trustworthy and pleasant.

Question 18

attachment theory

Answer 18

-suggests that our behaviour in adult relationships is based on our experiences
as infants with our parents or caregivers

Question 19

the attachment styles

Answer 19

-states that the kinds of bonds we form early in life influence the kids of relationships we form as adults.

Question 20

attachment styles

Answer 20

-are the expectations people develop about relationships, based on the relationship they had with their primary caregiver
when they were infants.

Question 21

secure attachment style

Answer 21

-is characterized by trust, a lack of
concern over being abandoned, and the view that one is worthy and well liked.
–Have caregivers who responds to their needs and show positive emotions and interactions.

Question 22

anxious/ambivalent attachment style

Answer 22

-is characterized by a concern that others will not reciprocate one’s desire for
intimacy, resulting in higher than average levels of anxiety
– People with this style desperately seek closeness but experience mixed and conflicted feelings even in loving relationships

Question 23

avoidant attachment style

Answer 23

-is characterized by a suppression of attachment needs, because attempts to be
intimate have been rebuffed in the past
–People with this style find it difficult to form intimate relationships.

Question 24

two types of avoidant attachment styles

Answer 24

–Fearful avoidant: avoiding close relationships because of mistrust and fears of being hurt.
–Dismissive avoidant: avoiding attachment because the person feels self sufficient and not in need of close relationships.

Question 25

can attachment styles change

Answer 25

•New research suggests that people may have different attachment styles in different relationships • New research has also shown that gene, like “environment” ( caregiver or partners), contribute to a portion of the variability in attachment styles – Dopamine and serotonin allele patterns are related to attachment anxiety and anxiety avoidance

Question 26

social exchange theory

Answer 26

suggests that how people feel about their relationships depends on • 5 basic concepts of social exchange theory: –Their perception of the rewards and costs of the relationship –Satisfaction with the relationship outcome –The kind of expectations about level of cost and rewards deserved in the relationship. Comparism level – perception of having a better relationship with someone. Comparism level for alternatives

Question 27

reward/cost ratio

Answer 27

in social exchange theory is the notion that there is a balance between: – The rewards that come from a relationship, and – The personal cost of maintaining the relationship

Question 28

outcome

Answer 28

-is determined by the difference between | rewards and costs.

Question 29

comparison levels

Answer 29

– People’s expectations about the level of rewards and punishments they deserve in a relationship.

Question 30

comparison level for alternatives

Answer 30

-People’s expectations about the level of rewards and punishments they would receive in an alternative relationship.

Question 31

Rusbult's investment model

Answer 31

– The theory that people’s commitment to a relationship depends on their satisfaction, level of investment in the relationship, and quality of alternatives to the relationship.

Question 32

equity theory

Answer 32

– People are happiest in relationships in which the rewards and costs that a person experiences, and the contributions that they make to their relationship are roughly equal to the rewards, costs, and contributions of the other person.

Question 33

Equity concerns vary, depending on the type of | relationship

Answer 33

–Exchange Relationships : Casual relationships governed by the need for a comparable ratio of rewards and costs. –Communal Relationships : Long term, close relationships in which people’s primary concern is being responsive to the other’s needs.

Question 34

the role of commitment in maintaining relationships

Answer 34

* Those who are committed to their relationships rate an attractive individual as less attractive than less committed individuals. * People who feel a relationship is an important part of their identity will let an attractive alternative partner know that they are “taken”. * Those who are more committed to their partners are more forgiving of their mistakes and shortcomings.

Question 35

positive illusions

Answer 35

-are the idealizations of our romantic relationships and partners in order to maintain the relationship. •The more we idealize our partner, the greater our satisfaction with the relationship, and the more likely the relationship will endure.

Question 36

reasons why relationships end

Answer 36

* Dissimilarity nothing in common * Low rewards and high costs, * Inequity * Attractive alternative partners * Boredom

Question 37

four strategies used to end a relationship

Answer 37

–Withdrawal/avoidance. –Positive tone (e.g., trying to prevent hard feelings). –Manipulative strategies (e.g., getting a third party to communicate the bad news). –Open confrontation.

Question 38

the experience of breaking up

Answer 38

•The role a person plays in the decision to terminate the relationship predicts the degree of distress after a breakup. •Those who initiated the breakup suffer less, but often felt guilt and unhappiness. •Those who were “dumped” were most unhappy, and also reported high levels of loneliness and depression.