CFS 3070 ch.2- Influential Theories

evolutionary psychology

assumes that the mind has evolved in response to whether an outcome was associated with much more or less successful reproduction

what mindset does evolutionary perspective go off of

mate selection, sexual reproduction, and survival of the fittest- because they have been successful in the past

what makes a feature adaptive

if it helps an organism attract or compete for mates

what makes a feature negatively affect a being

can hinder survival or have nothing to do with survival- like a peacock that cannot successfully attract a mate

psychological mechanisms

preferences, capacities, responses strategies used to attract mates, maintain relationships, and promote relationship success

theory of parental investment for women

females invest more time and resources in raising offspring than males

why do females invest more in parental investment

they tend to be the primary caregiver due to pregnancy and breastfeeding

children, leading children to be more dependent on them for a long period of time

theory of parental investment for men

males tend to have lower parental investment because they are able to impregnate more than one female at a time, meaning they don’t need to invest the time and resources to ensure the survival of offspring

theory of parental investment

predicts that males and females have different reproductive strategies based on their varying amounts of energy and available resources

what do females seek in a partner

seek mates who are likely to stay, protect, and help provide for offspring- put many resources into a few offspring

what do males seek in a partner

seek multiple mates to optimize the number of offspring they produce

what do women prefer in a partner

strong men who have the resources to provide and care for offspring

women are upset by:

men’s potential emotional infidelity

what do men prefer in a partner

women who are likely to invest only in their own children

men are upset by:

women’s potential sexual infidelity

attachment theory

explains how early emotional bonds between infants and their primary caregivers significantly impacts a person’s future relationships

attachment figures

a caregiver that a child is attached to- infants are dependent on them

attachment behavior system

behaviors that promote and maintain closeness between infants and their attachment figure

examples of attachment behaviors

infants crying as a need for care, or smiles to provide nurturance

1st key factor of attachment behavior system

we pay attention to our own internal states- am I hungry, scared, or lonely?

2nd key factor of attachment behavior system

we keep track of our caregiver’s availability and responsiveness- is mom near by, does she notice me?

3rd key factor of attachment behavior system

we look for potential threats in the environment- is there something in my closet?

what is the goal of the attachment behavior system

establish and maintain felt security, allowing children to take risks while knowing that they are safe

first dimension of attachment

anxiety, or beliefs about one’s value and self-worth

second dimension of attachment

avoidance, or beliefs about the dependability and trustworthiness of others to meet one’s needs

what are the four possible attachment styles after combining the two dimensions

secure, preoccupied, dismissing, and fearful

attachment style in romantic relationships

style is related to people’s perceptions of their partner’s behavior and their own personal behavior

social exchange theory (present)

all social interactions are an attempt to maximize outcomes through the exchange of social goods- what do we get out of relationships and what do we put into them

goal of social exchange theory

understand the rules that predict how two interdependent partners will behave toward each other

dyad

two people in a relationship

interdependency theory

two people having the capacity to affect each other’s thoughts, feelings, choices, and behaviors

how do partners evaluate their relationships

weighing rewards and costs

rewards

both material (finances) and nonmaterial (partner’s social standing)

costs

both material (finances) and nonmaterial (missing out on other opportunities because one is with one’s partner)

relationship alternatives include

all situations outside the current relationship, including being alone

barriers

obstacles to leaving the relationship including judgement, health insurance, financial and housing needs

investments

the resources a committed couple shares

social learning theory (present)

defines rewards and costs in terms of the specific interpersonal behaviors that partners exhibit in their interactions

difference in social exchange vs. social learning theories

social exchange looks more on an economic basis, social learning looks at behaviors

fundamental assumptions of social learning theory

when we are pleased or upset by our partners, this is directly related to their behaviors

behavior and relationship satisfaction

what we believe about ourselves and the quality of our relationships can determine what we believe about the behaviors of our partners

why do people engage in negative behavior?

social learning theory suggests that people get some kind of reward for negative behavior

coercion theory

people get their partners to pay attention by engaging in negative behaviors such as yelling and screaming

escape conditioning

people are able to stop an uncomfortable interaction, such as a fight, by engaging in behaviors such s storming out of the room or crying

what do social ecological models show

include consideration of stressors that are external to the relationship, such as hazardous work conditions or living in a dangerous neighborhood

microsystem

most proximal environment comprised of immediate family and friends of couple

mesosystem

where microsystems interact- consists of schools, churches, and neighborhoods

macrosystem

global and national forces such as systems of sutural beliefs or norms

A= stressor

may be positive or negative

EX: having a baby, changing jobs, moving, falling sick

B= resources

may be material or social

EX: money, friends who help, church group

C= interpretation of the event

EX: as a challenge, or negative experience

X= crisis

how the couple experiences and responds to the stressor

EX: couple feels positive about being able to meet the challenge, or becomes frustrated over the inability to supply

Double A

stress pile-up over time

Double B

resources that have been accumulated over time

Double C

perception of the accumulation of stressors over time

Double X

cumulative experience and reaction to stressors over time