APA Handbook of Personality and Social Psychology

This set of flashcards contains key terms and definitions related to the guidance on relationships and interpersonal dynamics as discussed in the APA Handbook of Personality and Social Psychology.

Interpersonal Relations

A key focus area in psychology that studies the dynamics between people, including friendship and social interactions.

Evolutionary Theory

A theoretical perspective suggesting that social behaviors and relationships, including friendships, have developed as adaptive mechanisms for survival.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships, particularly between parents and children and its implications in adult friendships.

Friendship Quality

The characteristics and features that define the nature of a friendship, including support, closeness, and reliability.

Reciprocation

The mutual exchange of actions or sentiments in friendships, which strengthens the bond between friends.

Communication Styles

The various ways in which individuals express thoughts and emotions within their friendships, influencing satisfaction and closeness.

Developmental Arc of Friendship

The progression and changes in friendships over a person's lifetime, including formation, maintenance, and dissolution.

Support Exchange

The giving and receiving of emotional, informational, or tangible assistance between friends during stressful or challenging situations.

Social Networks

The structure of relationships among individuals within a larger social framework, which includes family, friends, and acquaintances.

Loneliness

A subjective feeling of isolation or lack of companionship, which can be influenced by one's social connections and friendships.

Gender Differences in Friendship

Variations in how males and females relate to and maintain friendships, often characterized by differences in communication styles and emotional support.

Friendship and Health

The positive impacts that friendships can have on physical and mental well-being, including stress reduction and increased happiness.

Corumination

The process of extensively discussing and revisiting problems with friends, which can create emotional bonds but may also increase stress.

Social Comparison Theory

A theory suggesting that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others.

Cohort Differences

Variations in friendships and social interactions influenced by the generational context and societal changes experienced by different age groups.

Behavioral Vaccination

The concept that supportive friendships act as a protective mechanism against stress and negative health effects.

Online Friendships

Friendships that develop primarily through digital communication platforms, often altering traditional dynamics of in-person interactions.