FACTORS AFFECTING ATTRACTION

Question 1

▲ Why might filter theory lack temporal validity?

Answer 1

Online dating reduces importance of proximity

Question 2

● Who developed filter theory?

Answer 2

Kerckhoff and Davis

Question 3

✪ Why does the filter theory lack temporal validity in the context of modern dating practices?

Answer 3

Online dating has reduced the role of geographical proximity in initial partner selection.

Question 4

✪ How does research into filter theory challenge the assumption that partner selection follows a rigid filtering process?

Answer 4

Rise of online dating and changing norms show filters may not apply universally.

Question 5

▲ How does Taylor’s research challenge the matching hypothesis?

Answer 5

Online daters sought more attractive partners

Question 6

● What type of study did Kerckhoff and Davis conduct?

Answer 6

Longitudinal study

Question 7

● What is social demography?

Answer 7

Ethnic group, location, class

Question 8

▲ How does reciprocal self-disclosure impact attraction?

Answer 8

Increases satisfaction and relationship depth

Question 9

● What is the ‘onion theory’?

Answer 9

Peeling back layers of the self

Question 10

● Who developed social penetration theory?

Answer 10

Altman and Taylor

Question 11

✪ Why is the concept of self-disclosure limited by cultural relativism, and what does this imply about its generalisability?

Answer 11

Western couples disclose more but are not more satisfied, limiting generalisability to non-Western cultures.

Question 12

▲ How does similarity of attitudes support relationship development?

Answer 12

Leads to deeper communication and bonding

Question 13

✪ How does the Kerckhoff and Davis study support the claim that different filters are relevant at different stages of a relationship?

Answer 13

Similarity matters early; complementarity matters after 18 months.

Question 14

● What does similarity in attitudes promote?

Answer 14

Communication and self-disclosure

Question 15

✪ What are the implications of Taylor et al.’s findings for the validity of the matching hypothesis?

Answer 15

People pursue more attractive partners online, challenging the idea we settle for equals.

Question 16

● What is homogamy?

Answer 16

Choosing similar partners

Question 17

● What is a limitation of self-disclosure research?

Answer 17

It’s correlational

Question 18

● Who proposed the matching hypothesis?

Answer 18

Walster et al

Question 19

✪ What does the limitation of complementarity in filter theory suggest about the validity of this explanation?

Answer 19

Similarity of needs may better predict satisfaction than complementarity.

Question 20

● What did Cunningham find about facial attractiveness?

Answer 20

Consistency across cultures

Question 21

▲ Why might too much early disclosure harm a relationship?

Answer 21

It can threaten the relationship’s development

Question 22

✪ In what way does the onion theory relate to social penetration theory, and how does it enhance our understanding of self-disclosure?

Answer 22

It illustrates gradual, layered disclosure of self leading to deeper relationships.

Question 23

▲ How does complementarity add depth to long-term relationships?

Answer 23

By fulfilling unmet traits in each partner

Question 24

● What does complementarity mean?

Answer 24

Meeting each other’s needs

Question 25

▲ How does social penetration theory explain self-disclosure?

Answer 25

Relationship deepens through reciprocal exchange of personal info

Question 26

● Who found strong correlation between satisfaction and self-disclosure?

Answer 26

Sprecher and Hendrick

Question 27

● What does self-disclosure mean?

Answer 27

Revealing personal information

Question 28

▲ What is the outcome if basic values differ early on?

Answer 28

The relationship may fizzle out

Question 29

▲ How does physical attractiveness support evolutionary theory?

Answer 29

Signals genetic fitness and caregiving potential

Question 30

● What type of facial features trigger caregiving instincts?

Answer 30

Neotenous features

Question 31

● What is a cultural limitation of self-disclosure theory?

Answer 31

Cultural relativism

Question 32

● What filter matters for couples over 18 months?

Answer 32

Complementarity

Question 33

✪ Why might complementarity not apply universally across all types of relationships?

Answer 33

Lesbian couples with equal dominance were most satisfied, contradicting complementarity.

Question 34

● What increases as relationships develop?

Answer 34

Breadth and depth of self-disclosure

Question 35

● What is the matching hypothesis?

Answer 35

Choosing partners with similar attractiveness

Question 36

● Who conducted the 'computer dance' study?

Answer 36

Berscheid et al

Question 37

● Who found symmetrical faces more attractive?

Answer 37

Shackelford and Larsen

Question 38

● What is breadth of disclosure?

Answer 38

Amount of information shared

Question 39

▲ Why is research into self-disclosure limited?

Answer 39

It cannot establish cause and effect

Question 40

✪ How does the use of correlational studies weaken the internal validity of research on self-disclosure?

Answer 40

Cause and effect cannot be established, and other factors may influence attraction.

Question 41

● What is high-risk information in self-disclosure?

Answer 41

Secrets and strongly held beliefs

Question 42

▲ How do physical and emotional traits influence partner choice?

Answer 42

Traits may complement each other in relationships

Question 43

● What is depth of disclosure?

Answer 43

How personal the information is

Question 44

● What facial feature signals genetic fitness?

Answer 44

Symmetry

Question 45

▲ Why do people choose partners of similar attractiveness?

Answer 45

To avoid rejection and find equal matches

Question 46

✪ How does cultural relativism limit the external validity of physical attractiveness as a factor in romantic attraction?

Answer 46

Different cultures may value different traits, limiting universal application.

Question 47

▲ What factor was important for early relationships in filter theory?

Answer 47

Similarity in attitudes

Question 48

▲ How is self-disclosure culturally relative?

Answer 48

Western couples disclose more but are not more satisfied

Question 49

▲ How does homogamy relate to filter theory?

Answer 49

We choose partners with similar social background

Question 50

● What does filter theory explain?

Answer 50

Partner choice through filters