Interpersonal Relationships Flashcards
(30 cards)
Why are relationships important?
Relationships are essential for emotional security, physical and mental wellbeing, and provide support and companionship throughout life.
What is the “need to belong” theory?
Baumeister & Leary (1995) argued that the desire for regular contact with caring, close partners is a fundamental human motivation.
What role does evolution play in our social behavior?
Humans evolved as a social species, making relationships vital for survival; we’re highly sensitive to threat, rejection, and exclusion (Dickerson & Kemeny, 2004).
How do childhood relationships influence adult relationships?
Early attachments with caregivers shape later ability to form close, trusting relationships (Preves & Mortimer, 2003; Laible & Thompson, 2007).
What is attachment theory and who proposed it?
Attachment theory, proposed by Bowlby and expanded by Ainsworth, describes how early bonds with caregivers influence later relationship patterns.
What are the four types of attachment in childhood?
Secure: Distress at separation, comforted on return.
Avoidant: Little distress, ignores caregiver on return.
Anxious/Ambivalent: Inconsolable distress, mixed reactions on return.
Disorganized: Confused, fearful; linked to abuse or neglect (Main & Solomon, 1990).
What characterizes secure attachment in adults?
Secure adults tend to have satisfying, lasting relationships (Collins & Read, 1990; Feeney & Noller, 1990).
Do other family members impact attachment?
Yes—fathers, grandparents, and siblings all influence social and emotional development (Dunn & McGuire, 1992; Kitzmann et al., 2002).
What are the strongest predictors of attraction?
Proximity, familiarity, similarity, and physical attraction.
How does proximity influence relationships?
Being physically or virtually close increases chances of interaction and liking (Festinger et al., 1950; Back et al., 2008).
What did Festinger et al. (1950) discover about proximity?
: People were more likely to be friends with neighbors or those closest to shared spaces like staircases.
What is anticipatory liking?
Expecting to meet someone increases how much we like them (Darley & Berscheid, 1967).
What is the mere exposure effect?
Repeated exposure to a person or object leads to increased liking (Zajonc, 1968).
When might familiarity decrease liking?
When the initial reaction is negative, repeated exposure can breed contempt (Swap, 1977).
Why is similarity important in attraction?
Shared values and attitudes increase attraction and relationship satisfaction (Byrne, 1971; Clore, 1976).
What is balance theory?
Heider (1959): People prefer balanced relationships where attitudes align; imbalance causes discomfor
What is reciprocal liking?
We tend to like those who like us (Dittes & Kelley, 1956; Sprecher, 1998).
Why is physical attractiveness important?
It signals health, gene quality, and fertility; highly valued in dating contexts (Buss, 2016).
What is the matching phenomenon?
People often choose partners of similar attractiveness (Berscheid et al., 1971).
What traits influence attractiveness?
Symmetry: Signals genetic quality (Grammer & Thornhill, 1994).
Averageness: Linked to genetic diversity and health (Little et al., 2011).
Secondary sexual characteristics: Feminine women and masculine men are often rated more attractive due to hormonal cues (Penton-Voak & Chen, 2004).
What is a limitation of evolutionary theory?
It focuses mostly on heterosexual relationships and lacks inclusivity of LGBTQ+ experience
What is passionate love?
Intense emotional and physical arousal, often found in early stages of romance.
❓What is companionate love?
Deep affection, trust, and commitment; common in long-term relationships.
What is Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love?
Love consists of passion, intimacy, and commitment—combined to create 8 types of love (Sternberg, 1988).
