Relationships Flashcards
What is intra-sexual selection
Males preferred method of choosing females, quantity over quality. Males competing with other males.
Why do males aim for quantity over quality
Virtually endless amount of sperm produced until we die, no evolutionary need to be choosy
What does the evolutionary explanation suggest
That certain characteristics increase the possibility of reproduction and we are genetically attracted to these features.
What is anisogamy
The difference between male and female gametes; male has limitless mobile sperm, female has limited number of static eggs.
What was Buss’ study (1989)
10,000 people, 33 countries.
Surveyed them. Found females looked for resources (e.g good job) while males looked for physical attractiveness (youthful features).
Evaluate Buss’ 1989 study
+ Wide sample pool (10,000 adults)
+ Over 33 countries; reduces culture bias
- HOWEVER 77% participants from western countries, possibly making culture bias
- Social desirability factors, as was a self-report
What is inter-sexual selection
The preferred strategy of the female.
Female is more choosy than the male, valuing quality over quantity. Wanting resources and protection (money and size).
What is sexual dimoprhism
The result of desirable characteristics being passed down; males becoming larger and females smaller
What was Clark and Hatfield’s study
Asks university students “would you sleep with me”.
AKA “would you sleep with me” study
What were the results of Clark and Hatfields study
70% of men agreed, whereas 0% of women agreed
What does Clark and Hatfields study support
Both intrasexual and intersexual selection
What are some disadvantages of Clark and Hatfields study
Social desirability factors- women more likely to be shamed for accepting, men more likely to be praised
What are 3 disadvantages of the evolutionary explanation
Doesn’t account for relationships that are not motivated by reproduction, e.g homosexual relations
Gender bias, as women are more career focussed today and so the need for a resourceful partner is not necessary.
Deterministic
What is determinism
The determinist approach proposes that all behavior has a cause and is thus predictable. No free will.
What are 3 factors males find attractive
Rosy cheeks
Hip to waist ratio of 0.7
Big eyes
3 factors females find attractive
Height
Resources
Size
What is the halo effect
A cognitive shortcut where it is assumed that those who look good also have positive personality traits
What was the study supporting the halo effect
Dion et al. Ps asked to rate photographs of three strangers, categorised in attractiveness by a survey of 100 students. Most attractive associated most with traits of success, happiness and other positive traits.
What is the Matching Hypothesis
That we are attracted to people we perceive to be of a similar attraction level to us.
Who theorised the Filter Theory
Kerkhoff and Davis (1962)
What was the Filter Theory
The filter theory suggested that when selecting partners from the field of availables, people use three filters to narrow them down.
Increases the chance of a sustainable relationship with them.
What was the first filter proposed?
Social demography.
More likely to meet and then prefer a potential partner if a social demography is shared, as they are more similar with more common interests and attitudes.
What was the second proposed filter?
Similarity in attitudes.
Disclosure at this stage essential to ensure partners do share genuine similarity in interests.
What was the third proposed filter?
Complementarity.
One has traits that the other may lack, for example an extrovert complements an introvert.
This filter most important for couples past 18 months.
What are 2 criticisms of the Filter theory
Lack of temporal validity- more multi-cultural world today, social demographics not much of a barrier compared to the 60s
Correlation doesn’t equal causality- Anderson et al (2003) found people become more similar the more time they spend in relationship, countering second and third filter.
Outline self-disclosure
The extent to which a person reveals thoughts, feelings and behaviours which would usually be kept private.
Increase intimacy
Altman and Taylor (1973)
Found early relationships focus more on breadth, wide range of superficial topics, e.g work, holidays, hobbies.
Then moves onto people sharing more personal information, like future desires.
If sharing happens too early, or there is not reciprocity in process, may be a breakdown of trust
What did Sprecher and Hendrick study
Heterosexual couples studies
Found strong correlation between self disclosure and satisfaction.
What are the two elements of self disclosure
Breadth
Depth
Who found the two elements of self disclosure
Altman and Taylor
Explain breadth and depth in self disclosure
As the relationship develops, both breadth and depth of information increases.
At the start - Share a lot about ourselves, but very superficial, no depth. “Low risk” information. Breadth of disclosure is narrow, as many topics are off limits.
As relationship develops, number of topics available to be covered increases as well as the depth of the information.
Reciprocity
Reis and Shaver (1988)
For a relationship to develop there needs to be a reciprocal rate of disclosure.
Balance of disclosure needed,
Who found reciprocity is important in relationships developing
Reis and Shaver (1988)
What are two strengths of self-disclosure
Research support
RWA
research support of self disclosure
Sprecher and Hendrick (2004)
Studied heterosexual dating couples and found strong correlations between measures of satisfaction and level of disclosure in couples.
What is Filter Theory
Suggests we choose romantic partners based on a series of filters that narrows down the “field of availables”.
Who theorised “Filter Theory”
Kerckhoff and David (1962)
What were the filters
Social demography
Similarity in attitudes
Complementarity of needs
What is social demography
Refers to variables such as age, social background and location.
Social circumstances reduce range of people we are likely to meet.
Those with similar background to us we feel more comfortable talking to.
What is similarity in attitudes
Refers to individuals’ psychological characteristics.
Kerckhoff and Davis found similarity in attitudes was of central importance at the start of relationship.
Partners who are not similar get “filtered” out.
What is complementarity of needs
People with different needs are attracted to each other, as they can provide each other with mutual satisfaction of these needs, e.g one needs to be cared for and one needs to care for people.
What study did Kerckhoff and Davis carry out in 1962
Carried out longitudinal study of 94 couples at Duke University
Each partner in the couple completed two questionnaires assessing the degree to which their values aligned.
Seven months after, the couples completed a further questionnaire about how close they felt to their partner compared to start of study.
What were the findings of Kerckhoff and Davis’ study (1962)
For partners seeing each other for less than 18 months, similarity of attitudes and values was most significant predictor of how close they felt to partner. For those seeing each other for more than 18 months, only complementarity of needs was important predictor.
