Week 8: Interpersonal Attraction 1

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to interpersonal relationships, attraction, and the psychological impacts of social connections.

Interpersonal Attraction

The tendency to be drawn to and develop relationships with certain individuals over others.

Dilution Effect

A phenomenon where the risk of a successful predator attack is decreased among group members, reducing individual risk.

Confusion Effect

Occurs when predators find it difficult to focus on one target due to multiple moving individuals in a group.

Natural Selection

Process by which individuals with adaptive traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary changes.

Social Support

The perception or reality of being cared for and having assistance from social networks, impacting mental and physical health.

Duchenne Smile

A smile involving the activation of both the zygomatic major and orbicularis oculi muscles, indicating genuine happiness.

Romantic Relationships

Connections characterized by intimacy and passion, where partners often experience greater happiness compared to singles.

Proximity Effect (Propinquity Effect)

The tendency for people to form friendships based on physical closeness or proximity.

Similarity-Attraction Effect

The concept that individuals are more likely to form relationships with those who are similar to themselves.

Social Construction of Love

The theory that cultural and societal influences shape the definition and experience of love.

What is the Proximity Effect also known as?

The Propinquity Effect.

Which specific muscle activation distinguishes a Duchenne Smile from a non-genuine smile?

The activation of the orbicularis oculi muscles along with the zygomatic major muscles.

MCQ: Which phenomenon involves predators struggling to focus on one target due to group movement? A) Dilution Effect B) Confusion Effect C) Social Support D) Proximity Effect

B) Confusion Effect.

MCQ: The concept that individuals are more likely to form relationships with those similar to themselves is the: A) Proximity Effect B) Similarity-Attraction Effect C) Duchenne Theory D) Natural Selection

B) Similarity-Attraction Effect.

How does the Dilution Effect protect individual group members during a predator attack?

It reduces the individual risk of being the specific target of the attack because the risk is spread across multiple members.

What is the core premise of the Social Construction of Love?

The theory that cultural and societal influences, rather than just biology, shape how love is defined and experienced.

MCQ: Which process leads to evolutionary changes by favoring individuals with adaptive traits? A) Social Support B) Natural Selection C) Interpersonal Attraction D) Confusion Effect

B) Natural Selection.

What two elements characterize romantic relationships that often lead to greater happiness than being single?

Intimacy and passion.

How does social support influence a person's well-being?

It provides the perception or reality of being cared for, which positively impacts both mental and physical health.

MCQ: Interpersonal attraction refers to: A) The fear of social interaction B) The tendency to be drawn to and develop relationships with certain individuals C) The effect of physical distance on group size D) Genetic mutations in social settings

B) The tendency to be drawn to and develop relationships with certain individuals.

What is the primary distinction between the Dilution Effect and the Confusion Effect?

The Dilution Effect focuses on the numerical reduction of individual risk (1/n) as group size increases, whereas the Confusion Effect focuses on the predator's sensory inability to track a single target among many moving individuals.

MCQ: Which theory posits that the meaning and experience of love are dictated by societal norms rather than just biology? A) Evolutionary Psychology B) Social Construction of Love C) Proximity Effect D) Similarity-Attraction Effect

B) Social Construction of Love.

Why does physical proximity (propinquity) lead to increased attraction between individuals?

Proximity increases the frequency of spontaneous interactions and exposure, providing more opportunities to develop familiarity and discover shared interests.

MCQ: Which muscle group is uniquely active during a genuine Duchenne smile but typically absent in a forced or fake smile? A) Zygomatic major B) Orbicularis oculi C) Frontalis D) Platysma

B) Orbicularis oculi.

In the context of the Similarity-Attraction Effect, how do shared values influence relationship formation?

Shared values provide validation for an individual's own beliefs and reduce the potential for interpersonal conflict, making the relationship more rewarding.

MCQ: Natural Selection favors traits that primarily improve an organism's: A) Social Support B) Intimacy C) Survival and reproductive success D) Confusion Effect

C) Survival and reproductive success.

How do intimacy and passion specifically contribute to the well-being of those in romantic relationships?

They provide emotional depth and physical connection, which together often lead to higher levels of reported happiness compared to individuals who are single.

MCQ: Which effect describes the statistical decrease in the likelihood of a single individual being targeted when part of a large group? A) Confusion Effect B) Proximity Effect C) Dilution Effect D) Similarity Effect

C) Dilution Effect.

How does the perception of social support act as a buffer for physical health?

The belief that one has access to a supportive network reduces stress levels, which in turn lowers the physiological impact of stress on the body.

MCQ: The phenomenon where individuals are drawn to those they see frequently in a dormitory or workplace is known as the: A) Selection Effect B) Propinquity Effect C) Duchenne Effect D) Constructionist Effect

B) Propinquity Effect.

What are 3 basic features social animals tend to have in common?

1. cooperative defence from predators and competitors

2. cooperative rearing of the young by the group

3. cooperative foraging and hunting