Chapter 5 - Attraction

Flashcards about interpersonal attraction, covering its definition, determinants such as physical attractiveness, proximity, similarity, and reciprocal liking, and differences between initial attraction and longer-term relationships, including the role of attachment styles.

Interpersonal attraction

One's attitude about another person, how much we like or love them; intimate relationships, but also friendships. Expressed along a dimension: Strong liking Feeling of dislike

Physical Attractiveness

Youthful features (large, round, wide spaced eyes, small nose and chin, clean skin) are generally preferred and different physical features between genders (sexual dimorphism) are seen as desired (masculine faces as more square, broad jaws, look a bit older)

Symmetry of face and body

People are more attracted to faces and bodies that are more symmetrical, possibly as an indication of health, which includes reproductive health and familiarity.

Average multiple faces

Composite faces are generally seen as more attractive.

Other determinants of attractiveness

Physical health/lack of observable disabilities, age, body size, mental health, clothing, even name, culture, cultural standards of beauty, Smiling expression, good grooming

Gender differences in attraction

Men tend to value physical attractiveness and youthfulness more than women, while women value status more than men do.

Why is physical attractiveness so crucial?

More attractive = healthy = reproductive success. Facial features: youthfulness, clean skin, symmetry, femininity in females, masculinity in males. Pitch of voice: higher in women, lower in men. Body aspects: waist-to-hip ratio, average body size. Lack of disability = positively understood averageness. Positive expressions and positive behaviors

Internal determinants of attraction

Located in us (e.g., need to affiliate, affect as a basic response system)

External determinants of attraction

Located in others (e.g., proximity, observable characteristics)

Need to affiliate

A need to associate with other human beings in a friendly, cooperative way. Evolutionary perspective: the need is adaptive; our ancestors had to interact and cooperate with one another in order to survive

Affect as a basic response system

One's emotional state, positive and negative feelings, and moods. Positive affect leads to positive evaluations of others (liking), while negative affect leads to disliking.

Proximity (propinquity effect)

Physical closeness between two individuals (residence, seating arrangement, etc.). The smaller the distance, the greater the possibility that the two will come in a repeated contact (repeated exposure, mere exposure effect) and mutual attraction will develop.

Observable characteristics (physical attractiveness)

Combination of characteristics evaluated as beautiful or handsome (positive extreme) or unattractive (negative extreme).

Halo effect

A cognitive bias where we may form an impression of someone, their general evaluation, based on how we judge them on a single attribute.

Interactive determinants of attraction

Similarity, mutual liking

Matching hypothesis & Principle of homophily

We are more likely to form a committed relationship with someone who is equally attractive. We tend to associate and bond with others who are similar to us.

Why similarity matters?

Attitude, beliefs, personalities, values, interests, looks, even genes

Balance theory

Balance = liking + agreement—positive emotional state; imbalance = liking + disagreement—negative, desire to restore balance; nonbalance = disliking + agreement/disagreement—indifference

Social comparison theory

Comparing with others to gain information about whether our views, beliefs, attitudes, etc. are accurate. Similar attitudes = it feels good = I’m good (right, sensible, sane, correct)!

Reciprocal liking

Intermediate step between initial attraction and establishment of a relationship. Positive mutual evaluation (mutual attraction) = an added positive experience for each party

Crucial factors in long-term relationships

Closeness and intimacy, achieved via self-disclosure, Communality (vs. exchange relationships),Interdependence and commitment

Attachment styles (in adult life)

Secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, fearful-avoidant