Relationships - Factors affecting attraction 24/25

Question 1

What does the term ‘self-disclosure’ mean?

Answer 1

Revealing personal information

Question 2

What key term is being described here “revealing personal information for example interests and attitudes’.

Answer 2

Self disclosure

Question 3

Give x3 examples of personal information that may be revealed through ‘self-disclosure’.

Answer 3

Interests, hobbies, likes, dislikes, attitudes.

Question 4

Why is self-disclosure important in attraction?

Answer 4

Helps to move beyond initial attraction and understand our partner better.

Question 5

Which theory of attraction is being described “the gradual process of revealing yourself e.g. inner self, feelings and deep secrets’.

Answer 5

Social penetration theory

Question 6

According to Social Penetration Theory if both partners disclose information and respond in positive ways what does this increase and what impact does this have on the relationship?

Answer 6

Feelings of intimacy and attraction.

Deepens the relationship.

Question 7

According to Social Penetration Theory what is the consequence of couples increasing the breadth and depth of self-disclosure over time.

Answer 7

The relationship deepens and they become more committed to each other.

Question 8

According to Social Penetration Theory - what will happen if too much deep information is revealed to early?

Answer 8

Threaten the development of the relationship.

Question 9

What is the name of the theory that suggests we should peel/tear back layers of the public self (low risk info) first then more inner private layers?

Answer 9

The onion theory (Social penetration theory)

Question 10

What does the Social penetration/onion theory suggest about self disclosure?

Answer 10

We should reveal low risk information about our public self first then more inner private layers.

Question 11

What does Social Penetration Theory suggest about disclosure in more committed relationships?

Answer 11

Couples disclose more intimate/high risk information

Question 12

What does Social Penetration Theory suggest about they level of information disclosed early on in the relationship?

Answer 12

Superficial/low risk

Question 13

What does Social Penetration Theory suggest increases attraction and feelings of intimacy in a relationship?

Answer 13

Self-disclosure

Question 14

According to Social Penetration Theory what might threaten the development of the relationship?

Answer 14

Disclosure of too much deep information, too early on.

Question 15

RTS - who did Sprecher and Hendrick study and what did they find?

Answer 15

Heterosexual dating couples

Strong correlations between relationship satisfaction, commitment and self-disclosure

Question 16

AO3: RTS - How does Sprecher and Hendrick’s research into heterosexual dating couples support self disclosure?

Answer 16

Because it shows that as the breadth and depth of self-disclosure increases, the greater the attraction.

Question 17

AO3 - What is a weakness of research like Sprecher and Hendrick’s into self-disclosure? Provide an example.

Answer 17

Correlational - so cause and effect cannot be established between self-disclosure and attraction. For example, it may be that the more satisfied the partners are, the more they disclose or there could be another intervening factor impacting how successful the romantic relationship is e.g. time spent together, physical attractiveness etc.

Question 18

AO3 - Research into self-disclosure is correlational - what is a limitation of this?

Answer 18

Cause and effect cannot be established between self-disclosure and attraction

Question 19

AO3 - Research into self-disclosure is correlational therefore cause and effect cannot be established between what two variables?

Answer 19

self-disclosure and attraction

Question 20

AO3 - Why does the concept of self-disclosure lack cultural relativism?

Answer 20

Self-disclosure in the USA self-disclose more sexual thoughts and feelings than in China yet satisfaction is the same in both countries.

Question 21

AO3 - Self-disclosure in the USA self-disclose more sexual thoughts and feelings than in China yet satisfaction is the same in both countries - what criticism could be made of this theory?

Answer 21

Lacks cultural relativism

Question 22

AO3 - Much of the research into self-disclosure is based on what type of research methods?

Answer 22

Self report (interviews and questionnaires)

Question 23

AO3 - Most of the research into self-disclosure is based on interviews and questionnaires - what is the weakness of this?

Answer 23

Social desirability

Question 24

AO3 - Social desirability is a weakness of research into self-disclosure - what might ppts lie about?

Answer 24

How much information they disclose to their partner
How satisfied they are in their relationships.

Question 25

What does the evolutionary explanation argue is a physical factor affecting attraction?

Answer 25

Having a symmetrical face

Question 26

Why do evolutionary psychologists argue having a symmetrical face leads to greater attractiveness?

Answer 26

It is a sign of genetic fitness (healthy and having good genes)

Question 27

What did Shakelford and Larsen find about facial symmetry and attraction?

Answer 27

People with symmetrical faces were rated as more attractive

Question 28

What is meant by 'neotenous features'

Answer 28

Having a baby face

Question 29

Give examples of neotenous features (baby face)

Answer 29

Large eyes and small nose

Question 30

How do baby face neotenous features link to attraction?

Answer 30

Baby face features e.g. large eyes are seen as more attractive

Question 31

Why are 'neotenous features' seen as more attractive

Answer 31

Because they trigger a caring and protective instinct

Question 32

How does physical attractiveness affect ideas about personality traits?

Answer 32

Attractive people are seen as having better personality traits e.g. kind

Question 33

Give examples of personality traits that physically attractive people are assumed to have

Answer 33

Kind, strong, sociable and successful.

Question 34

The idea that people form relationships with people who are similar to their level of attractiveness is known as what?

Answer 34

The matching hypothesis

Question 35

Why does the matching hypothesis argue we are attracted to people who are a similar level of attractiveness to us?

Answer 35

If we went for people who were more attractive we may never find a partner.

Question 36

AO3 - Why does Taylor's research contradict the matching hypothesis?

Answer 36

Online daters seek meetings with partners who were more physically attractive than them

Question 37

AO3 - Much of the research into self-disclosure is based on what type of research methods?

Answer 37

Self report

Question 38

AO3 - Social desirability is a weakness of research into physical attractiveness - what might ppts lie about and why?

Answer 38

How important physical attractiveness is in a partner to avoid seeming shallow.

Question 39

AO3 - Why are there cultural similarities in physical factors affecting attraction?

Answer 39

Both Hispanic and Asian males rated large eyes and small nose as features that display genetic fitness.

Question 40

AO3 - Both Hispanic and Asian males rated large eyes and small nose as features that display genetic fitness. American and Korean students both judged physically attractive people to be more trustworthy and friendly. Why is this a strength of physical factors affecting attraction?

Answer 40

It is possible to generalise findings across Western and Non-Western cultures.

Question 41

Name the three levels of the filter theory

Answer 41

Social demography Similarity in attitudes Complementarity

Question 42

What do Kerckhoff and Davis call the range of people who are potentially available to us?

Answer 42

Field of availables

Question 43

What do Kerckhoff and Davis argue about the range of people who are potentially available to us?

Answer 43

Not all the people who are available to use are desirable to us.

Question 44

Because not all available people are desirable to us, what does the filter theory argue?

Answer 44

People use three filters to narrow down their choices to people who they think will offer them the best relationship.

Question 45

How many filters are there in the 'Filter Theory'

Answer 45

Three

Question 46

Name X3 social demographic factors people use the filter available people by

Answer 46

Religion Level of education Geographical location (where they live) Social class

Question 47

What time frame does the similarity of attitudes apply as a filter?

Answer 47

For couples who have been a relationship for less than 18 months

Question 48

What is meant by similarity of attitudes?

Answer 48

Agreeing on basic values

Question 49

What is meant by complementarity

Answer 49

When one partner has traits that the other person lacks e.g. one person may enjoy making others laugh and the other partner like to laugh

Question 50

The idea of opposites attract is which level of filter?

Answer 50

Complementarity

Question 51

Why is complementarity important?

Answer 51

It makes the partners feel that together they form a whole

Question 52

A03: In Kerckhoff and Davis' study into the filter theory which of the following predicted closeness only up to 18 months of the relationship? 1) Similarity and attitudes 2) Complementarity

Answer 52

Similarity and attitudes

Question 53

A03 In Kerckhoff and Davis' study into the filter theory which of the following predicted closeness for couples in longer relationships (over 18 months) 1) Similarity and attitudes 2) Complementarity

Answer 53

Complementarity

Question 54

A03 Why is the filter theory criticised for lacking in 'temporal validity'?

Answer 54

It was created in 1962 before online dating

Question 55

A03: Why is the lack of temporal validity due to the rise of online dating a criticism of the filter theory?

Answer 55

Social demographic factors e.g. location have become less important.

Question 56

A03 What is the counterargument/discussion for filter theory lacking temporal validity due to the rise of dating apps?

Answer 56

People still filter by location or level of education.

Question 57

Which two of the following are important factors in the Filter Theory: A Personal compliments B Profit and loss C Self-disclosure D Similarity in attitude E Social demography

Answer 57

D and E

Question 58

AO3 - Why do lesbian couples contradict the Filter Theory

Answer 58

Equal dominance was linked to relationship satisfaction rather than complementarity (one dominant partner one non-dominant partner)

Question 59

One partner being calm and another partner being more anxious and so needing a calm partner is known as what level in the Filter Theory?

Answer 59

Complementarity

Question 60

Which level of the Filter Theory is missing: Social demography Complementarity

Answer 60

Similarity in attitudes

Question 61

Which level of the Filter Theory is missing: Complementarity Similarity in attitudes

Answer 61

Social demography

Question 62

Which level of the Filter Theory is missing: Social demography Similarity in attitudes

Answer 62

Complementarity

Question 63

What are the 3 theories in factors affecting attraction?

Answer 63

Filter theory Physical attractiveness (matching hypothesis) Self-disclosure