Social Psychology: Relationships

Need to Belong

The feeling of being accepted through frequent positive interactions with others and forming social bonds

Proximity

Physical closeness

Functional Distance

How often people’s paths cross

Mere Exposure Effect

The tendency for novel stimuli to be liked more or rated more positively after repeated exposure

Similarity

How people closely relate to each other

Matching Hypothesis

The tendency to choose as partners those who are a match in attractiveness

Reciprocal Liking

We like people who like us

Physical Attractiveness

We like people who look good

Beautiful-Is-Good Effect

The belief that physically attractive people also have a wide range of other positive characteristics

Reproductive Fitness

Being able to pass genes on

Bilateral Symmetry

Two sides of the face mirror each other

Contrast Effects

Attractiveness is relative

Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love

Passion: Excitement, longing, sexual attraction.

Intimacy: Sharing, emotional support, liking.

Commitment: Investment in maintaining the relationship

Cultural Influences of Love

Love is universal but varies in nature across cultures

Attachment Theory

Relationships models are developed as infants and carried through life

Secure Attachment

Comfortable with intimacy

Avoidant Attachment

Uncomfortable with intimicy

Anxious Attachment

Worried, clingly

Self-Expansion Model

Loving someone helps us grow and become more complex

Inclusion of Others in the Self (IOS) Scale

A measure of relationship closeness

Communication Problems

How we deal with conflict says a lot about the state of the relationship

Gottman’s Four Warning Signs

Criticism: Constantly finding fault with your partner.

Defensiveness: Refusing to consider your role in the conflict.

Stonewalling: Refusing to talk about the problem.

Contempt: Looking down on your partner.

Investment Model

Commitment in relationships is based on three factors

• Rewards: What do you get out of the relationship?

• Alternatives: What would happen if you left?

• Investments: What have you put into the relationship?

Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation Model

• Vulnerability: What you bring into the relationship (e.g.,

attachment style, personality, previous experience)

• Stress: External events (e.g., death in the family, job loss)

• Adaptation: Coping strategies (e.g., communication)

Capitalization

Sharing good times is more important than sharing hard times

Hedonic Adaptation Model

A model based on creating novelty to help with relationships and to remain happy