U4 Topic 2 - Interpersonal Processes - P2

Vocabulary flashcards covering the General Aggression Model (GAM), advertising and social media impacts on aggression, biological and cultural explanations of attraction (Buss et al. 1990, Wedekind et al. 1995), social and cognitive origins of attraction (Tidwell et al. 2013), and Rollie and Duck's phase model of relationship dissolution.

Media

Anything from newspapers, radio, magazines, and television to social media or blogging that serves as a global source of information and connection.

General Aggression Model (GAM)

A theoretical framework explaining how person and situational factors interact to influence internal routes (affect, arousal, and cognition), leading to appraisal, decision processes, and aggressive behavior.

Person Factor (GAM)

Individual characteristics, such as pre-existing stress levels, aggressive predispositions, or hostile attribution biases, that interact with situational inputs in the General Aggression Model.

Situational Factor (GAM)

External environmental triggers or circumstances, such as a peer's sarcastic comment or violent video game play, that interact with person factors to influence aggression.

Desensitisation (Media Aggression)

A reduction in emotional or cognitive responsiveness to violent/aggressive behavior caused by repeated exposure, making aggression seem more socially acceptable.

Targeted Advertising

A marketing strategy using technology to deliver tailored messages—sometimes featuring subtle aggression or anti-violence themes—to specific audiences or populations at risk.

Social Marketing Campaigns

Campaigns that utilize media and occasionally violent or shock tactics to attract attention, raise awareness, and encourage positive attitude changes regarding social issues like domestic violence.

Craig Anderson (2002) Study

Research demonstrating that playing violent video games on a frequent basis (approximately 20+ hours a week) increases aggressive behavior and decreases positive social behaviors in children and young people.

Cyberbullying

The use of social media or digital platforms to harass, defame, or threaten others without experiencing the discomfort of seeing the victim's pain and with no immediate resulting punishment.

Relationship

A connection between two or more people, such as friends, romantic partners, classmates, or work colleagues, that satisfies the fundamental human need to belong.

Culture

A collection of ideals, values, belongings, and ethics that belong to a group of people and are passed on from generation to generation.

International Mate Selection Project (Buss et al., 1990)

A large-scale study involving 49 researchers across 33 countries (37 cultures) investigating mate preferences, finding that sex differences in trait valuation are largely consistent worldwide.

Inter-sexual Selection

An evolutionary mechanism described by Darwin involving the preference of members of one sex for specific characteristics in potential mates of the opposite sex.

Intra-sexual Selection

An evolutionary mechanism involving competition among individuals of the same sex for reproductive access to mates.

Evolutionary Theory of Attraction

The proposal that humans are attracted to specific traits in potential mates because those traits historically enhanced ancestor survival and reproductive success of offspring.

Attractiveness Halo Effect

A cognitive bias wherein individuals assume that physically attractive people automatically possess other positive qualities or personality traits.

Evolutionary Advantage View (Facial Symmetry)

The theory that facial symmetry is perceived as attractive because symmetrical features signal superior underlying genetic health and fitness.

Perceptual Bias View (Facial Symmetry)

The theory that symmetrical faces are preferred because the human visual system processes and recognizes symmetrical visual information more easily and efficiently.

Sweaty T-Shirt Study (Wedekind et al., 1995)

An experiment demonstrating that women consistently rate male body odours as more pleasant when the men have Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes dissimilar to their own.

Cognitive Origins of Attraction

The theory proposing that interpersonal attraction is primarily driven by an individual's internal mental perception and interpretation of a potential mate.

Social Origins of Attraction

The theory proposing that attraction is primarily driven by social environmental factors, such as repeated physical exposure and regular interactions with a potential partner.

Proximity

Physical closeness between individuals, which increases opportunities for interaction and familiarity.

Mere Exposure Effect

A psychological phenomenon where repeated exposure to a person or stimulus leads to an increase in liking or attraction.

Reciprocity

The mutual exchange of feelings and actions in a relationship, where individuals tend to like people who show that they like them.

Similarity

Shared values, traits, attitudes, and interests between individuals that validate opinions and enhance relationship satisfaction.

Self-disclosure

The act of revealing personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are not immediately obvious, fostering intimacy and trust.

Tidwell, Eastwick and Finkel (2013) Study

A speed-dating investigation which revealed that perceived similarity significantly predicted romantic attraction, whereas actual similarity did not.

Communication (Relationships)

Verbal and non-verbal expression between individuals that enhances relationship satisfaction by increasing intimacy, commitment, and passion.

Rollie and Duck's Phase Model

A model explaining relationship dissolution across five sequential phases: intrapsychic, dyadic, social, grave-dressing, and resurrection.

Intrapsychic Phase

The first stage of relationship dissolution where an individual feels private internal dissatisfaction and weighs the pros and cons of staying versus leaving without expressing it to their partner.

Dyadic Phase

The second stage of relationship dissolution where partners communicate their dissatisfaction, discuss issues, and attempt to resolve problems or decide to end the relationship.

Social Phase

The third stage of relationship dissolution where the breakup is made public to friends, family, and social networks to seek support and advice.

Grave-dressing Phase

The fourth stage of relationship dissolution where individuals reflect on the ended relationship, formulate a self-justifying narrative, and begin rebuilding their life.

Resurrection Phase

The final stage of relationship dissolution where individuals experience personal growth, learn from the past relationship, and prepare themselves for future relationships.

Encoding Failure

The inability to retrieve information from memory because it was never properly attended to, processed, or stored in long-term memory.