Exam 2 Social Roles an Relationships

Social role

A position a person occupies in society or a group, with expected behaviors and responsibilities.

Biological clock

The biological timing of events such as puberty and reproductive aging.

Social clock

Cultural expectations about when major life events should happen, such as marriage, parenthood, or retirement.

Gender roles

Socially learned expectations about behaviors and responsibilities associated with gender.

Gender stereotypes

Oversimplified beliefs about the traits or behaviors of people based on gender.

Social roles across development

The roles people occupy change with age and life stage, including student, worker, partner, parent, and grandparent.

Role transition

A change from one social role to another, such as becoming a parent or retiring.

Learning-schema theory

A perspective emphasizing how people learn and organize expectations about social roles and relationships.

Social role theory

The idea that behavior and expectations are shaped partly by the social roles people occupy.

Evolutionary theory of social relationships

The need to belong and maintain social bonds may support human survival and well-being.

Marital happiness

Relationship satisfaction influenced by factors such as affection, shared goals, communication, and conflict resolution.

Loneliness

Distress resulting from a perceived gap between desired and actual social connection.

Grandparenting roles

Ways grandparents support, care for, guide, and maintain relationships with grandchildren.

Social relationship

A pattern of interactions with others characterized by intensity, frequency, and influence or power.

Intensity of relationships

The emotional strength or significance of a relationship.

Frequency of relationships

How often people interact with one another.

Influence or power in relationships

The degree to which one person affects another or has decision-making power.

Convoy Model — Antonucci

A model describing the changing social network that surrounds a person throughout life.

Inner circle of the Convoy Model

Closest friends or family members whom a person cannot imagine life without.

Middle circle of the Convoy Model

People who are important but not as close as those in the inner circle.

Outer circle of the Convoy Model

People who are less close but remain part of a person's life.

Attachment theory — Bowlby and Ainsworth

Explains how closeness to others provides comfort, safety, support, and security to pursue personal goals.

Secure attachment

A relationship pattern involving trust, comfort with closeness, and confidence in support from others.

Preoccupied or anxious romantic attachment

A pattern involving a negative view of oneself and a positive view of others.

Fearful romantic attachment

A pattern involving negative views of both oneself and others.

Dismissing or avoidant romantic attachment

A pattern involving a positive view of oneself and a negative view of others.

Socioemotional selectivity theory — Carstensen

The theory that relationship quantity tends to decrease while relationship quality becomes more important with age.

Evolutionary psychology

Explains social connection partly through the human need to belong to groups, which can support survival.

Purpose of social relationships

Social relationships provide connection, meaning, purpose, support, and protection from isolation.

Choosing an intimate partner

Partner selection involves subjective feelings and the emotional systems of lust, attraction, and attachment.

Lust

An emotional or motivational system associated with sexual desire.

Attraction

A system involving focused interest and motivation toward a preferred partner.

Attachment in romantic relationships

The emotional bond that supports closeness, connection, and security with a partner.

Filter theory

People choose partners from a pool of candidates by filtering out those who do not fit their preferences or criteria.

Exchange theory

People evaluate what they contribute to and receive from a relationship when choosing a partner.

Cohabitation

Two partners living together in an intimate relationship without necessarily being married.

Cohabitation trends

Cohabitation has become more common and does not always lead to marriage; culture and gender-role norms can influence it.

Relationship erosion

Negative aspects of a marriage gradually wear down positive feelings and expectations of friendship and support.

Risk factors for an unsuccessful marriage

Personal history, personality traits, and differing ideas about the future.

Gottman's fondness and admiration

Love and positive emotions expressed toward one's partner.

We-ness versus me-ness

The extent to which partners share beliefs, values, goals, and a sense of unity.

Love maps

Detailed knowledge and positive understanding of a partner and the history of the relationship.

Shared purpose and meaning

Partners take pride in overcoming difficulties and develop shared goals and meaning.

Marital satisfaction

The extent to which a marriage meets the partners' expectations.

Healthy conflict resolution

Communication strategies that help partners address disagreements constructively.

Improving negative relationship patterns

Understand each other, increase affection, pay attention to one another, resolve conflict healthily, and create shared meaning.

Same-sex partnerships

The lecture describes these relationships as similar to heterosexual relationships in many aspects of relationship functioning.

Same-sex relationship counseling

The lecture associates shorter counseling with less gender inequality, fewer gender-role issues, similar communication styles, and maintaining positivity.

Openness about a same-sex partner

The lecture notes that people who are more open about their partner report greater relationship satisfaction.

Technology in relationships

Digital communication can shape how partners interact; its effects depend on how technology is used within the relationship.

Relationship conflict

Disagreements between partners that can affect relationship satisfaction depending on how they are handled.

Sibling relationships in adulthood

Moderate emotional closeness is the most common pattern, and sibling relationships can become more significant later in life.

Sibling support

Siblings can provide support to one another; the lecture describes them as a third source of support after parents and grandparents.

Grandparent-grandchild relationships

The relationship is influenced by grandchildren's ages and grandparents' health and can provide mutual support.

Grandparent support for young grandchildren

Grandparents often spend more time with younger grandchildren.

Grandparent support for adult grandchildren

Grandparents may discuss concerns with adult grandchildren and provide support.

Grandmother effect

Grandparents can provide grandchildren with a safety net, security, and protection; the lecture reports especially close ties with maternal grandmothers.

Benefits of grandparent-grandchild relationships

Grandchildren receive love and affection, while grandparents may experience greater well-being and mental health.

Parent-child relationships in adulthood

An important intergenerational relationship that continues to change as children and parents move through life stages.

Friendships in adulthood

Social connections that can provide companionship, emotional support, and belonging.

Relationship quantity versus quality

Quantity refers to the number of relationships; quality refers to their closeness, importance, and support.

Social isolation

Having limited social contact or connection; supportive relationships can help protect against it.

Apply the Convoy Model

Place people in inner, middle, or outer circles according to closeness and consider interaction frequency and influence.

Apply socioemotional selectivity theory

Explain why people may prioritize meaningful close relationships over maintaining a large social network as they age.

Apply evolutionary psychology to college life

Joining clubs or groups can meet the human need to belong and create social support.

Clements, Stanley, and Markman's study

A study named on the exam topic list; the specific findings are not established by the visible lecture excerpts, so check the assigned class material.