factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships Flashcards
(27 cards)
what is self disclosure?
the process of revealing personal info such as thoughts, feelings, and experiences, to a partner
what does successful self disclosure do?
helps partners feel closer, enhances mutual understanding, and strengthens emotional bonds
What is social penetration theory?
describes the process of relationship development as a gradual exchange of info
what does breadth mean in social penetration theory?
At the start of a relationship, people disclose a wide range of superficial info e.g hobbies and careers
what does depth mean in social penetration theory?
as trust is built, individuals begin to disclose deeper and more personal info e.g past traumas
what are the 4 stages of social penetration theory?
superficial
intimate
personal
core
what does successful self disclosure rely on
reciprocity - as one partner opens up it encourages the other to do the same
What did haas and hartford find?
studied homosexual couples and found that 57% of gay couples found disclosure as a key strategy for maintaining close relationships
how can self disclosure be applied to real life?
online relationships - anonymity can lead to quick self disclosure, but without initial level of trust relationships can fail
strengths of self disclosure
supported by research e.g haas and hartford
practical applications
weaknesses of self disclosure
cultural differences - individualist cultures disclose more than collectivist cultures
correlational research - does self disclosure cause greater intimacy
self disclosure alone cannot explain all aspects of attraction - over simplification
how does attractiveness influence attraction?
one of the first factors we see, plays role determining initial attraction. psychologists suggest attraction serves as a cue for other desirable traits
how do evolutionary perspectives explain attraction?
certain features are considered attractive as they are associated with health, fertility and fitness
how does the halo effect explain physical attractiveness?
a cognitive bias where people assume attractive individuals possess other positive qualities such as kindness
What is the matching hypothesis?
Suggests individuals are most likely to form relationships with partners matching their own level of attraction - manages rejection risk
What did palmer and peterson’s research find?
Found attractive people were rated as more politically competent and knowledgeable, despite having no evidence of their abilities - supports halo effect
how can physical attractiveness be applied to real life
dating apps such as tinder emphasize the role of physical attractiveness - opinions based on profile photos
strengths of physical attractiveness
universality - people across cultures rated features as universally attractive
research to support from palmer and peterson
limitations of physical attractiveness
individual differences - importance of attractiveness varies between individuals
gender bias - men value attractiveness more highly than women in long term relationships
contradictory findings - taylor found online daters often pursued partners more attractive than themselves
what is filter theory?
suggests individuals use a series of filters to narrow down candidates and find somebody they can form a lasting relationship with
what are the three main filters in filter theory?
social demographic variables, similarity in attitudes, and complementarity.
what is meant by sociodemographic characteristics?
involves factors like age, education, religion. people are more likely to form relationships with those from similar backgrounds
what is meant by similarity of attitudes?
focuses on shared attitudes, values, and beliefs. helps form stronger connections and allows individuals to feel connected
what is meant by complementarity of needs?
people having traits or needs that complement each other e.g one may be more social while the other enjoys quiet time.
