Relationship Studies Flashcards
(8 cards)
Buss (1989)
Aim: Evolutionary-based assumptions about human mate selection in a large cross-cultural sample
Participants: 37 samples from 33 countries. 10000+ participants
Method:
1. Participants were given two surveys
2. First survey:
- Spouse age preferences
- Rate 18 characteristics on how important they are
- Second survey:
- Rank 13 characteristics on how desirable they are
Results
1. 36/37 samples, women valued good financial prospects more than men
2. 34/37 samples, men valued physical attractiveness more than women
3. Women preferred older men
4. Men preferred younger women around 25 years old (peak fertility)
5. USA put love #1
6. Zulu put love #7 and dependability higher
Wedekind (1999)
Aim: If MHC genes affect mate selection
Participants: 49 female and 44 males from a Swiss university
Method:
1. Men were asked to wear a T-shirt for 2 nights and keep it in a plastic bag during the day
- given perfume-free soap and detergent
- no smoking, alcohol, spicy food, and sexual activity
- 2 days later, women ranked the smell of 7 shirts each in a cardboard box with a smelling hole. They were in the second week of their menstrual cycle since they were more odour sensitive
- 3 boxes MHC dissimilar shirts
- 3 boxes MHC similar shirts
- 1 box control unworn shirt
- Scored based on desirability and pleasantness
Results:
1. Scored MHC dissimilar shirts as more pleasant
3. Opposite pattern if they were on oral contraceptives
Markey and Markey (2007)
Aim: The extent similarity is a factor in choosing a partner
Participants:
a) Study 1 - Self-selected sample of undergraduates
b) Study 2 - Self selected sample of heterosexual young couples
Method
Study 1
1. Asked participants to describe psychological characteristics, values, and attitudes of their ideal partner
2. Asked to describe themselves
Study 2
1. Asked participants about their own and their partner’s personality characteristics
Results
Study 1
1. Their description of their ideal partner is similar to themselves
Study 2
1. Long and harmonious relationships have some similar characteristics but not all
Dion et al (1972)
Aim: The role of the halo effect on choosing a partner
Participants: 30 male and female students from an American University
Method
1. Participants were each given 3 envelopes each with a photo of someone their age
- One physically attractive
- One moderately attractive
- One unattractive
2. Half given photos of same gender and other half given the opposite gender
3. Rate the person on 27 personality traits
4. After the 3 photos, complete survey asking which person is most and least likely to experience
- Marital happiness
- Parental happiness
- Overall happiness
5. Which of the three is most likely to engage in 30 different occupations divided int
- low status
- average status
- high status
Results
1. Attractive individuals are predicted to be significantly happier, more successful, and more positive personality traits
Zajonc (1968)
Aim: Whether exposure to a person originated attraction
Participants: Michigan State University Students
Method
1.Told they were taking part in a study of visual memory
2. Shown each photo for 30 seconds
3. Faces shown with different frequencies for different groups
4. Rate likeability
Results
1. When exposed to an image more frequently, their rating of the man was significantly greater
Ye et al (2006)
Aim: Test the extent of culture in mate selection
Participants: Content Analysis
Method
1. Content analysis of online dating ads for Chinese and Americans
Results:
1. Chinese profiles focused on physical appearance, financial status, education, and health conditions
2. American profiles focused on personality and hobbies
3. Similair patterns in statements about partner preferences
Bradbury and Fincham (1992)
Aim: Looked at causal and responsibility attributions
Participant: 47 couples married for an average of 8.5 years
Method
1. Completed a survey on marital satisfaction
2. Complete questionnaire to identify biggest issues in their marriage
3. Researchers chose a common problem and asked about
- cause
- whos responsible
4. Asked about a problem their spouse didn’t identify
5. Brought both together and asked them to discuss a possible solution to the problem identified (recorded)
6. Researchers independently coded the videotape for
- relationship enhancing patterns
- distress maintaining patterns
Results
1. Couples with less marital satisfaction had more frequently disress-maintaining patterns
1. Couples with less marital satisfactionwere more hostile and rejected partner’s positive approaches
Gottman (1994)
Aim: Predict if marriage will last by their communication patterns and micro expressions
Participants: Heterosexual and same-sex couples
Method:
1. Observed low conflict and high conflict conversation
2. Measured physiological factors:
- heart rate
- blood pressure
- skin galvanisation
Results:
1. Part of communication is micro expressions like disgust if contempt
2. Arousal occurs during conflict (100bpm)
3. Oral communication predicts failing relationships
4. Signs of the 4 horseman of the apocalypse
