Attraction/human relationships - definitions

neurotransmitters

specialized, fast-acting chemical messengers that neurons use to communicate across a synapse

hormones

chemical messengers that are released into the bloodstream and are slow acting. They coordinate different bodily functions.

dopamine

 a neurotransmitter that drives motivation, reward and pleasure

oxytocin

a hormone that drives bonding, trust and connection.

sexual selection

believes human mating and attraction is driven by maximising reproductive success

attatchment styles

schemas about what to expect from loved ones (early caregivers) which influences relationships later in life (adult relationships).

secures - attachment style

safety is love, intimacy is cherished “ideal partner”

anxious’ - attachment style

chemistry is love, intimacy is needed, attracted to avoidants

avoidants - attachment style

independence is love, intimacy is scary

disorganised - attachment style

confusion is love, inconsistent desire, volatile

similarity attraction model

we actively seek partners who share interests with us. (SYSTEM 2)

halo effect

the tendency for an impression created in one area to influence opinion in another area (SYSTEM 1)

heuristic

OR shortcut - evaluating a person, including them as a partner off one trait. Usually physical attractiveness in dating

dual processing model

a cognitive model that theorises 2 systems for thinking, system 1, and system 2

the mere-exposure effect

psychological phenomenon by which people tend to develop a preference for things because it’s familiar.

similarity

sharing similar characteristics, and results in in-group favouritism (increase self-esteem)

Attraction (sociocultural explanation

similarity and the mere-exposure effect, in the sociocultural explanation

cultural norms

sets of societal expectations that influence behaviour, e.g. is “attractive”