Relationships

when and by whom is attachment style developed?

in childhood by caregivers

how do caregivers cause certain attachment styles in childhood?

caregivers establish cognitive patterns for interacting with attachment figures throughout the lifespan

what are the two characteristics of attachment figures?

Being a safe haven and secure base for an individual

how do safe havens interact with individuals

When an individual experiences threat or distress, the attachment system activates, compelling them to seek comfort, affection, and protection from the attachment figure.

what does being a secure base in an attachment figure mean?

provides a stable anchor, allowing an individual to confidently pursue personal goals, explore the environment yet base supports independence, respects personal decisions, and remains accessible without imposing distress or control

what is interdependence?

the mutual influence partners exert over each other's cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. Interdependence functions across four key dimensions

what is the main factor that distinguishes close relationships from casual relationships?

interdependence

what are the four key dimentions of interdependence?

1. frequency

2. strength

3. duration

4. diversity (domains)

explain how frequency ties into interdependence

how frequent the two individuals in the relationship influence each other

explain how strength is a key dimention in interdependence

how strong the influences are on each other

explain how duration is a key dimention in interdependence

how long the people in relationship have been influencing each other

explain how diversity/domains is a key dimention in interdependence

the extent to which people can influence each other across different situations, environments and life areas

what are communal relationships?

Close relationships characterized by mutual care, security, and responsiveness to needs without primary regard for immediate reciportation or equal exchange

what are extradyadic behaviors?

Fulfilling relational, emotional, or sexual needs outside of a primary romantic relationship, often associated with perceiving high-quality alternative partners

what is sociosexuality

  An individual’s willingness to engage in sexual relationships outside of emotional commitment, varying along a spectrum of investment requirements

what does it mean for someone to have restricted sociosexuality?

High threshold for physical intimacy; requires strong emotional connection and commitment prior to sexual activity.

what does it mean for someone to have unrestricted sociosexuality?

Low threshold for physical intimacy; requires minimal emotional energy or relational investment, often favoring short-term sexual encounters.

what are the three dimentions of sociosexuality

Sociosexual behaviors (history), Sociosexual Attitudes (beleifs) and Sociosexual Desire (frequency and intensity of motivation)

what is the belongingness hypothesis?

The fundamental, universal human motivation to form, maintain, and protect stable, positive, and caring interpersonal relationships

according to the belongingness hypothesis, what two things do humans always require?

1. frequent and pleasant interactions

2. An ongoing bond marked by mutual concern and affective stability

what is the sociometer theory?

that ones self esteem is a reflection on if their belongingness needs are being met or not

what is social exclusion taxonomy?

An overarching umbrella for experiences of interpersonal detachment, taking two main forms

what are the two types of social exclusion taxonomy?

1. Social Rejection

2. Social Ostracism

what is social rejection?

Direct, active negative attention aimed at an individual

What is social ostracism?

Being passively or actively ignored

what is social surrogacy hypothesis?

The psychological tendency to turn to non-human or indirect connections to restore a threatened sense of belonging

what are some examples of non-human connections an individual can use in social surrogacy hypothesis?

physical objects such as hoodies, food, photos

Fictional worlds such as books or tv shows

Parasocial relationships such as fictional characters or celebrities

what is social affiliation model?

  A homeostatic model proposing that individuals actively regulate their level of social contact

according to social affiliation model, what will an individual do if social contact deviates from an individual's optimal "set point"?

make behavioral changes (either make more plans when lonely or solitude when overstimulated)

what is dyadic liking?

•  Mutual, specific attraction occurring between two individual partners

what is generalized liking?

• A dispositional tendency for an individual to like many people

what is assortive mating?

the tendency for people to pair up with partners who resemble them on some trait

what is attachment theory?

an evolved, innate  Attachment Behavioral System  designed to maintain proximity to protective caregivers, maximizing infant survival

how is adult attachment different from origional atttachment theory

System dynamics operate through internal cognitive representations (scripts) formed by early life experiences with attachment figure

what are the different scripts used in adult attachment theory?

Primary attachment strategies and Secondary attachment strategies

when do primary attachment strategies activate?

Activated under threat to seek proximity; results in security when met with responsiveness

when do secondary attachment strategies activate?

Activated when primary bids fail or are met inconsistently. Includes  Hyperactivation  (anxious revving of attachment demands) and  Deactivation  (avoidant suppression of intimacy and threat cognitions)

what attachment strategy is hyperactivation and deactivation a result of?

secondary attachment strategies

what is the economic framework of social exchange theory?

individuals act as rational actors attempting to maximize rewards and minimize costs

what is the economic framework formula?

1. $\text{Outcome} = \text{Rewards} - \text{Costs}$

what are the core assumptions of social exchange theory?

Core Assumptions:

1. All social interactions carry measurable costs and rewards.

2. Individuals systematically evaluate choices to derive maximum net profit.

3. Reciprocity is expected in social transactions.

what is Kellys independence theory?

when partners assess the structure of their situation — the rewards, costs, and alternatives — to decide whether a problem is worth resolving and whether the relationship is worth keeping to see how dependent and satisfied a person is in their realtionship

what are the two structures in Kellys independence theory?

Comparison Level and Comparison level for alternatives

what is Comparison Level in Kellys interdependence theory?

Calculates level of satisfaction by comparing current outcomes to past expectations from childhood or past realationships

what is the formula for Satisfaction in Kellys interdependence model?

Satisfaction= Outcomes - CL

what is CLalt in Kellys interdependence theory?

Clalt calculates dependency of current relationship by comparing current outcomes to your preceived alternative options

what is the formula for CLalt

Dependency = Outcomes- Clalt

according to the comparison level, when will you feel satisfied in a relationship?

if your current outcomes exceed your expectations

according to the CLalt formula, when will you be dependent on a relationship?

if your precived no better alternatives than your current relationship

what is the principle of least interest?

states that The partner who is least committed or least dependent on the relationship holds the greatest operational power and control

what is equity theory varient?

Proposes that satisfaction depends on perceived fairness. Relational distress occurs under two conditions: overbeniffiting and underbenifitting

what types of feelings does overbenifitting trigger

Triggers guilt and discomfort due to inequity

what types of feelings does underbenifitting trigger

Triggers anger, feelings of exploitation, and resentment

what is the investment model of commitment?

takes into account satisfaction, alternatives and how much we have invested to ascess quality of relationship

what is the formula for investment model of commitment?

Commitment=Satisfaction-Quality of alternatives+investment size

what is intrasexual selection

Competition among members of one sex to outshine rivals for access to the opposite sex.

what is intersexual selection

• Preferential trait choice exerted by members of one sex toward potential mates.

what is costly signaling theory

The exhibition of burdensome, expensive, or high-risk behaviors/traits to demonstrate underlying genetic quality or resource wealth

what is parental investment theory

• Biological asymmetries in minimum required investment shape mating behavior

how is female parental investment theory different from male ?

• Females:  High minimum investment (gestation, lactation, physiological burden), Focus on  quality  over quantity, prioritizing resource availability and commitment

• Males:  Low minimum investment (sperm contribution), Primary challenges include paternity uncertainty and mate competition, prioritizing youth, health, and physical attractiveness indicators

what is sexual strategies theory?

An evolutionary theory explaining how humans adapt their dating and mating behaviors to solve specific biological challenges (such as passing on genes or securing resources for offspring

what are the two main approaches to sexual strategies theory?

Short term strategies and long term strategies

what is short term strategies?

Pursuing sexual connection without long-term commitment or heavy resource investment

what is long term strategies?

Pursuing a committed relationship centered on pair-bonding, resource sharing, and co-parenting

what are the specific mating tactics?

Mate poaching and Mate guarding

what is mate poaching?

Trying to attract or steal someone who is already in a relationship

what is mate guarding

Engaging in behaviors to protect your current partner from potential romantic rivals

what is Strategic / Sexual Pluralism Theory

People adaptively shift their mating strategies based on their own personal strengths, local environment, and available resources to maximize success

in sexual pluralism theory, what two factors do heterosexual men have to balance

short term mating strategies against long term parental investment

in sexual pluralism theory, what two factors do heterosexual women have to balance

access to "good genes" (physical fitness indicators) against long-term resource provisioning

what is Life history theory?

how early life history changes percepctives and actions in dating, sex and parenting

what are the characteristics of fast strtagies, according to life history theory?

Harsh, chaotic, unpredictable | Early sexual debut, higher partner count, preference for casual relationships, reduced investment per child, high risk-taking, impulsive decision-making

what are the characteristics of slow strtagies, according to life history theory?

Gentle, safe, predictable | Delayed sexual debut, long-term commitment orientation, fewer children, high parental investment, future-oriented planning, low risk-taking.

what type of childhood results in slow stratgies

Stable, Predictable childhood

What type of childhood results in fast strategies?

Harsh, unpredictable childhood

what is uncertainty reduction theory?

Asserts that primary motivation during initial social interactions is to reduce cognitive uncertainty and establish predictability

what are the three main uncertainty reduction strategies?

Passive, Active and Extractive

what is a passive uncertainty reduction strategy?

Unobtrusive observation (e.g., viewing public behaviors or social media profiles)

what is an active uncertainty reduction strategy?

Structuring environmental situations or questioning mutual acquaintances

what are extractive uncertainty reduction strategies?

 Systematically searching online databases or digital footprints

what is hedging?

Expressing low-key, ambiguous signals to gauge partner interest without risking blatant rejection

what is predicted outcome value theory?

An extension of uncertainty reduction theory; asserts that individuals reduce uncertainty specifically to forecast the future reward-to-cost ratio of a potential relationship, determining whether to escalate communication

what is social penitration theory

Conceptualizes relational escalation as systematic movement from superficial layers to deep personal layers of psychological intimacy (the "onion model")

what are the phases of social penitration theory

Orientation Phase, Exploratory Affective Stage, Affective Stage, Stable Stage

what happens in orientation stage of social penitration theory?

Brief, superficial disclosures adhering to social etiquette

what happens in exploratory affective stage of social penitration theory?

 Expansion of topics and relaxation of formal barriers

what happens in affective stage in social penitration theory?

Deeper personal disclosures, informal communication, and exposure of vulnerabilities

what happens in the stable stage of social penitration theory?

High intimacy, open communication, and deep mutual understanding

what is social ecological systems theory?

shows how releationship aspects interact differently based on the enviornmental factors in which they interact in

what are the 5 types of enviornments in social ecological systems theory?

microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem

what is a microsystem?

immediate face to face experiences you interact with everyday such as family, partner or work

what is a mesosystem?

connections between your different microsystems, like how your work life affects home life, or how your partner gets along with your family

what is an exosystem?

External social structures impacting the individual indirectly, but still affect your relationship (e.g., workplace policies)

what is a macrosystem?

The overarching cultural values, economic conditions, laws, and societal norms that surround everything else

what is a chronosystem?

Temporal trajectory and historical timing of relationship milestones

what are the internal working models of attachement?

how different attachment styles correspond with view of self and others

what internal working model would an anxious attachment style have?

Weak view of self and a positive view of others

what internal working model would an avoidant attachment style have?

uncertain view of self and Negative view of others

what internal working model would a fearful avoidant attachment style have?

weak view of self and negative view of others

what attchment style would result from an inconsistent response from caregiver?

anxious attachment style