Relationships - Formation

Question 1

Explain direct reinforcement in relation to relationship formation

Answer 1

Operant conditioning
Individuals who are rewarding tend to be liked the most
Positive non-verbal signals are signs of liking and therefore act as positive reinforcement
If we are in a negative emotional state and they take is out of that they act as negative reinforcement
Relationship formed because it is reinforcing

Question 2

Explain liking through association in relation to relationship formation

Answer 2

Classical conditioning
We may like people because they are associated with something pleasant
If we are in a good mood when we meet someone we may associate them with that good mood

Question 3

What is similarity theory?

Answer 3

Similarity between people promotes liking
This can lead to relationship formation
There are two stages of relationship formation
People sort potential partners for dissimilarity then pick most similar of those remaining

Question 4

What are the two types of similarity?

Answer 4

Personality

Attitudes

Question 5

Describe personality similarity type

Answer 5

People are more likely to be attracted to people with similar personality traits
In long-term relationships similarity is key
Research shows that married couples with similar personalities tend to be happier than those with less similar personalities

Question 6

Describe attitude similarity type

Answer 6

If people disagree on something important attitude alignment may occur
This is when partners modify their beliefs in order to make them more similar
One or both partners may do this

Question 7

What is reward/need satisfaction theory

Answer 7

We form relationship because we find them rewarding or life without them unrewarding
Behaviourist
Some people reward us directly (operant conditioning) and some reward us indirectly (classical conditioning)
We are likely to repeat a behaviour that leads to a desirable outcome