Social Psych Final

Predictors of Attraction

1. Rewards

2. Similarity

3. Familiarity (Proximity)

4. Physical Appearance

When are rewards effective in promoting liking, and when are they not?

Rewards give direct pleasure and boost self-esteem by signaling social worth.

NOT- attributed to manipulation, create indebtedness, unwhelming reward, or seem unfair/inequitable.

Why does proximity lead to attraction?

-mere exposure can lead to likeness

-Proximity increases interaction, opportunities for rewards, and discovery of similarities. It also creates familiarity through the mere exposure effect.

-More interaction = more discovery of similarities

What is the relationship between similarity and attraction?

Similarity generally increases attraction, while dissimilarity increases disliking. Similar beliefs, attitudes, and interests are strong predictors of liking.

When can similarity NOT lead to attraction?

Similarity may decrease attraction in competitive or zero-sum situations, in lovers' triangles, or when similarity threatens a person's self-concept.

COMPETITIVE

COMPLEMENTS

SIMILARITY AS A THREAT

Do opposites attract?

Generally, no, research shows similarity is a much stronger predictor of attraction than opposites

What are complements in attraction?

Complements are traits that fit together, such as dominant/submissive personalities.

Why is physical attractiveness related to liking?

Three hypotheses: 1. cultural, 2. personality, and 3. evolutionary.

What is the cultural hypothesis for attractiveness?

Beauty standards are shaped by culture and media (myths and social norms)

- Standards of attractiveness can vary across cultures and time periods.

What is the personality hypothesis for attractiveness?

Attractive people may develop better social skills

- They are treated more positively, though there are a few consistent personality differences besides social skills.

What is the evolutionary hypothesis for attractiveness?

Research on body/facial symmetry shows that symmetry predicts attractiveness and mating success across species because symmetry may signal health.

What is the "beauty is good" phenomenon?

Attractive people are assumed to possess positive traits such as intelligence, warmth, happiness, dominance, and social skills

What empirical support exists for "beauty is good"?

1. Attractive children are punished less harshly

2. Attractive students are judged as more intelligent

3. Attractive employees earn more money,

4. Attractive defendants often receive lighter punishment.

When can being attractive be a liability?

-If you use ur attractiveness in hurting other people (weaponizing it)

-When someone uses it to harm or manipulate others, such as in swindling cases where attractive defendants received harsher punishments.

What does research say about facial features that predict attraction?

Research by Langlois & others suggests symmetrical and average/composite faces are often judged most attractive.

Symmetry = " good health"

Can symmetrical faces still differ in attractiveness?

Yes. Two faces may both be symmetrical, but one may still be more conventionally attractive due to other culturally valued features.

What is the relationship between passionate and companionate love?

Passionate love usually comes first and involves strong physiological arousal and longing.

Over time, stable relationships depend more on companionate love, which emphasizes intimacy, commitment, and shared experiences.

How do attributions for arousal impact romantic attraction?

People may misattribute physiological arousal (fear, excitement, adrenaline) to attraction toward another person, making them seem more attractive.

-example (amusement park date); Increasing arousal = "this person im with is exciting"

What did Dutton & Aron's bridge study show?

Men who met an attractive woman on a scary suspension bridge were more likely to contact her later because they misattributed arousal from fear to attraction.

What are predictors of long-term satisfying relationships?

Similarity, self-disclosure, cultivation of shared interests, variation/stimulation to avoid routine, and development of companionate love.

Why can unrealistic expectations harm relationships?

-Popular culture focuses heavily on passionate love and "happily ever after,"

- may prevent couples from developing companionate love needed for long-term satisfaction.

What is the decision tree Darley & Latane proposed for helping?

1. Notice (What was that?)

2. Interpret (Something's wrong)

3. Responsibility (It's up to me)

4. Ability (I can do it)

5. Cost (No Problem)

6. help/no help.

What is the "bystander effect" and its implications for receiving help from others around us?

More bystanders = a lower chance that any one person will help.

When are bystanders likely to intervene?

When the situation is clear, fewer bystanders are present, bystanders know each other, and responsibility feels personal. (when someone is singled out to help)

What is the relationship between the number of bystanders present and the likelihood of a person receiving help?

More bystanders → less likelihood any one person helps.

What is the implication of the bystander effect?

Individual helping decreases, but the victim may still eventually receive help.

When is the bystander effect strongest?

When bystanders cannot see each other well.

What is the relationship between gender, personality, and helping?

Little difference in helping male vs female victims.

BUT: more help if bystanders know one other

What personality traits relate to helping?

Strong moral beliefs, religiosity, volunteering, and charitable behavior.

What is the relationship between mood and helping?

Positive mood increases helping.

What are the 3 explanations of helping behavior?

Evolutionary, social exchange, empathy-altruism.

How does the evolutionary approach explain helping?

Helping promotes survival of you, relatives, and offspring.

-Helping norms help society survive and may benefit offspring later ("pay it forward").

How does the social exchange theory explain helping? (Rewards? Costs?)

-People help when rewards outweigh costs.

-rewards: Praise, money, affection, self-esteem, reciprocity.

-costs of helping: Danger, embarrassment, time, frustration, loss of resources.

-costs of not helping: Guilt, disapproval, damaged relationships.

How does empathy-altruism explain helping?

Empathy and compassion create a desire to reduce another person's distress.

What do all 3 helping theories have in common?

All see helping as ultimately functional/self-serving.

How can helping behavior be increased in general?

Reward helping, model helping, empathy training, practice helping, learn helping research.

How can you encourage someone to help you in a specific situation?

Reduce ambiguity

Reduce anonymity

Use reciprocity

Use compliance tactics

Improve mood

What are 3 significant predictors of happiness?

1. Satisfying Social Relationships

2. Pursuing Things You Like

3. Helping Others

What does research show about the relationship between helping and happiness?

The "Acts of Kindness" group reported elevated happiness both during and after the study

Why do social relationships predict happiness?

Good relationships increase support, connection, and satisfaction.

Good relationships increase support, connection, and satisfaction.

People enjoy making progress toward meaningful goals ("flow").

flow- Being fully immersed and involved in a task.

Why does helping increase happiness?

It strengthens relationships and improves self-image.

How is happiness related to money?

Money increases happiness mainly when basic needs are unmet. Happiness levels off; the relationship becomes weaker.

How is that relationship affected by how happiness is defined (day-to-day or long term)?

Happiness as "day-to-day" evaluation shows a

weak relationship to income

Why does higher income relate more to life satisfaction?

Better health, freedom, and social support.

What is affective forecasting?

People often incorrectly predict what will make them happy.

What is adaptation in happiness research?

As income rises, desires and spending also rise.