Psychology Human Relationships Option for ERQ's

Explain the Similarity-Attraction Model

Explain the Similarity-Attraction Model

This theory claims that we are attracted to people that are similar to ourselves. However, this could simply be a result of the fact that we live close to those that are similar to ourselves, and therefore it is a case of correlation but no causation. This theory argues that people with similar values, ages, traits, hobbies, social classes, and cultural backgrounds would be more likely to be attracted to one another. This is due to consensual validation, meaning we feel validated in our values if they are shared by someone else.

Evaluate the Similarity-Attraction Model

Strengths:

• It can easily be tested as variables are easy to control and isolate.

• Can be applied to friendships and other relationships as well.

Limitations:

• Hard to operationalize ‘liking’, therefore lowering internal validity.

• Can be overly simplistic as it doesn’t account for other approaches.

Explain the Mere Exposure Effect

This theory claims that we like things more, the more familiar we are with them. Therefore, someone would be more attractive if a person is more familiar with them.

Evaluate the Mere Exposure Effect

Strengths:

• Testable as the variable ‘exposure’ can be operationalised.

• Applicable to many relationships.

Limitations:

• Doesn’t explain hatred towards familiar people, such as family members.

• Experiments tend to be artificial, not representative of real life.

• Poorly defined ‘attraction’ and ‘liking’.

Explain Evolutionary Explanations

Argues that human attraction has roots in natural selection, and we pick a mate based on who is most likely to survive, in order to create strong and healthy offspring. Generally, attractive features such as facial symmetry and clear skin are indicators of good health.

Evaluate Evolutionary Explanations

Strengths:

• Easily Testable

Limitations:

• It may be difficult to operationalize “attraction” as it may not always be a desire to mate, but just a physical attraction.

• Research tends to be correlational in nature

• Most research relies on self-reported data

Explain the Four Horses of the Apocalypse

The theory argues that the if certain behaviours are experienced in a relationship, it will cause it to end. These behaviours are criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling. Criticism occurs when we make a negative general statement about a person. Contempt is a behaviour of disgust, disrespect or mocking sarcasm towards another person. Defensiveness occurs when one shifts the blame and claims to be the victim. Stonewalling occurs when one ignores the other party. Gottman hypothesised that these behaviours would lead to divorce/a breakup.

Explain Social Penetration Theory

This theory claims relationships are formed through self-disclosure. Self disclosure is the act of sharing personal feelings, thoughts and information with another person. The theory argues that if we are able to disclose personal information to someone, we feel as though our relationship has value. The theory argues that there are four stages: The Orientation Stage (small talk and simple information about oneself.), The Exploratory Stage (when we reveal our personal feelings and opinions on ‘safe’ topics.), the Affective Stage (where we begin to share private information), and The Stable Stage (where we tend to be very open and honest.)

Evaluate Social Penetration Theory

Strengths:

• Applicable to other relationships

Limitations:

• Hard to create a cause-and-effect relationship

• Sampling Bias (conducted on white women)

• Hard to operationalise ‘disclosure’ and different people classify information as ‘private’.

• One flow of direction.

Evaluate the Four Horses of the Apocalypse

Strengths:

• Variables can be directly measured → high internal validity.

Limitations:

• Bidirectional Ambiguity

• Predictive Validity as Gottman only works with unhappy couples, which questions whether the theory can predict behaviour.