Key Psychology Terms in Relationship Development and Social Psychology

What is self-disclosure?

The reciprocal sharing of personal information to develop a relationship.

What is the halo effect?

The tendency to assume that physically attractive people have other positive characteristics.

What is social demography?

Similarity in background factors such as age, education, and social class.

What is similarity?

Shared attitudes and values.

What is complementarity?

Partners having traits that complement each other, meeting each other's needs.

What are rewards?

Benefits received from a relationship.

What are costs?

Negative aspects or losses in a relationship.

What is comparison level (CL)?

The level of reward a person expects based on past experiences.

What is CLalt?

The level of rewards a person believes they could obtain from the best available alternative relationship.

What is equity?

A state of fairness where partners' inputs and outputs are balanced.

What is satisfaction?

The extent to which a relationship meets a person's expectations.

What is investment?

Resources put into a relationship that would be lost if it ended.

What are alternatives?

The perceived quality of the best available alternative relationship.

What is the intrapsychic phase?

One partner privately thinks about dissatisfaction in the relationship.

What is the dyadic phase?

Partners discuss problems and attempt to resolve issues.

Why is self-disclosure increased in CMC?

Due to anonymity and reduced non-verbal cues.

What is absence of gating?

The removal of barriers (e.g. physical attractiveness, social anxiety) that might prevent relationships forming face-to-face.