Flashcards Relationship Science: Belongingness and Research Methods

What is the fundamental human need discussed in the notes?

The need to belong.

What historical event is used to illustrate the importance of relationships?

The Donner Party.

How many pioneers were part of the Donner Party?

87 pioneers.

What was a critical factor for survival in the Donner Party?

Relationships and social connections.

What percentage of the Donner Party survived?

Only 47 out of 87.

What is one evolutionary skill humans have regarding relationships?

The ability to bond with others.

What is the title of the paper by Baumeister & Leary (1995)?

"The Need to Belong".

According to Baumeister & Leary, what do humans need for social connections?

A minimum quantity of lasting, positive, and significant interpersonal relationships.

What are some examples of social support mentioned?

Sharing resources, divvying tasks, providing assistance, and a sense of belonging.

What is a modern example of social alliances mentioned in the notes?

The reality show Survivor.

What is a trauma bond?

Friendships formed through shared unpleasant experiences.

What does research suggest about pet owners?

Pet owners are less lonely, less depressed, and happier with their lives.

What is a parasocial relationship?

A one-sided relationship with media personalities or characters.

What can lead to increased materialism over time?

Social isolation and loneliness.

What physiological and psychological consequences arise from loneliness?

Poorer self-regulation, reduced sleep quality, and lower immune functioning.

What is the relationship between social network diversity and susceptibility to illness?

Those with more diverse networks are less likely to develop illnesses.

How does marriage affect health compared to cohabitation?

Happily married couples are healthier psychologically and physically than other groups.

What happens to social connections as intimate relationships develop?

People spend less time with friends or family.

What does the need to belong suggest about human relationships across cultures?

The need for close relationships is universal.

What is a common response to ending relationships?

Distress is a universal experience.

What is the significance of belongingness in human life?

Belongingness was once a life or death matter and still feels essential.

What is a key argument regarding the ease of forming relationships?

People naturally pursue relationships without specific conditions.

What is the impact of social bonds on health and well-being?

Healthy relationships lead to better psychological and physical health.

What is one way people anthropomorphize to meet social needs?

By ascribing human characteristics to pets or inanimate objects.

What is the relationship between loneliness and health-promoting behaviors?

Loneliness leads to fewer health-promoting behaviors.

What is the effect of strong social connections on mortality?

A lack of social connection is a strong predictor of mortality.

What does the hydraulic model of attachment suggest?

Attachment to ex-partners and current partners is interdependent.

What is a convenience sample?

A sample consisting of individuals who are readily available for research, such as undergraduate students or social media recruits.

What is a representative sample?

A sample that resembles the entire population of interest, often recruited strategically, but is more difficult and expensive to obtain.

What is the main challenge in measuring abstract constructs in relationship science?

The need to operationalize constructs, such as defining what 'love' means in measurable terms.

What are the three broad types of measures used in relationship research?

Self-report, observational, and physiological measures.

What is a self-report measure?

A method where individuals answer questions about themselves, which can be fixed or open-ended.

What is an observational measure?

A method that gathers data about relationship events without asking participants directly, often through home-based or lab observations.

What is a physiological measure?

A method that provides insight into involuntary bodily reactions, such as heart rate or brain activity, in response to relationship dynamics.

What is a cross-sectional study?

A research design that examines relationships between variables at a single point in time.

What is a longitudinal study?

A research design that follows individuals over a longer period to examine changes in relationships over time.

What is the purpose of controlling variables in research?

To account for alternative explanations that might influence the results, ensuring the validity of the findings.

What does 'correlation does not prove causation' mean?

It indicates that a correlation between two variables does not imply that one causes the other.

What is random assignment in experimental research?

A process where each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any condition of the independent variable.

What is the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM)?

A model used in relationship science to study both partners in a relationship and their interdependence.

What are the pros of self-report measures?

They are easy to administer, inexpensive, and allow researchers to gain insights into participants' thoughts and feelings.

What are the cons of self-report measures?

They can suffer from difficulties in recall and social desirability bias, especially on sensitive topics.

What is a daily experience study?

A research method that involves asking participants about their relationship experiences daily over a set period.

What is the significance of diverse methods in relationship research?

Diverse methods enhance the validity of findings and contribute to the cumulative nature of scientific research.

What is volunteer bias in research?

The phenomenon where individuals who agree to participate in research differ in significant ways from those who do not.

What is the main finding of the airport study mentioned?

Avoidant partners sought less physical contact, while anxious partners expressed more fear and sadness during goodbyes.

What is the role of the independent variable (IV) in experiments?

The IV is deliberately manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable (DV).

What is the role of the dependent variable (DV) in experiments?

The DV is measured to assess the impact of the manipulation of the independent variable.

What is the significance of the study on mindfulness interventions?

Participants in the mindfulness group showed greater increases in relationship satisfaction compared to the control group.

What is retrospective bias?

A bias that occurs when participants have to recall past experiences, which can lead to inaccuracies in reporting.

What is the importance of measuring something more than once in longitudinal studies?

To capture changes over time and understand the dynamics of relationships.

What is the impact of relationship stigma on relationship functioning?

Relationship stigma, particularly from friends, was associated with poorer relationship functioning.

What is the cumulative nature of science?

The idea that each small step in research contributes to a broader understanding and knowledge base.