L10: Attraction and the need to belong

What is the "need to belong"?

A psychological need to form and maintain strong, stable interpersonal relationships, necessary for survival and well-being.

What happens when the need to belong is unmet?

Mental and physical health decline, increased mortality, loneliness, and reliance on unhealthy coping mechanisms.

How is the need to belong measured?

Through self-report questionnaires and experimental tasks like Cyberball to simulate exclusion.

Why is belonging considered a psychological need?

It regulates behavior to secure resources crucial for survival and mental health.

What is loneliness?

A subjective feeling of being deprived of social connection, even if surrounded by others.

What are effects of loneliness?

Poor health outcomes, reduced self-control, increased alcohol use, and even increased risk of death.

What is social rejection?

Being deliberately excluded or discriminated against by others, which undermines the need to belong.

How does loneliness relate to alcohol use?

Excluded individuals in studies (e.g., Cyberball) drank more alcohol, especially those who drink to reduce anxiety.

What is Cyberball?

A simulated online ball-toss game used to study social exclusion and its effects on emotions and behavior.

What does Cyberball demonstrate?

Social exclusion leads to psychological distress, increased alcohol consumption, and poorer self-regulation.

How does paracetamol affect social pain?

It reduces brain activation in areas linked to physical pain (insula, anterior cingulate cortex) when socially rejected.

What does this suggest about social pain?

Social pain activates similar brain regions as physical pain, indicating an innate biological reaction to rejection.

What is the propinquity (proximity) effect?

The tendency to form relationships with people we encounter frequently or are physically close to.

What is transference in relationships?

The redirection of feelings for one person onto another who resembles them in some way.

What is attitude similarity?

The idea that people are attracted to others who share similar beliefs, values, and interests.

How does physical attractiveness influence attraction?

People tend to form relationships with those they find physically attractive, which is often culturally shaped.

What is the halo effect?

The assumption that physically attractive people possess other socially desirable traits.

How do gender differences affect attraction and sexual attitudes?

Men often prioritize physical attractiveness, while women may prioritize resource availability and emotional connection, though context matters.

What is a parasocial relationship?

A one-sided relationship where one person feels a bond with a media figure or celebrity who is unaware of their existence.

Why do familiar people feel safer to us over time?

Repeated exposure reduces uncertainty; we learn behavioral patterns and feel less defensive.

What is misattribution of arousal?

When we incorrectly attribute our internal states (e.g., anxiety, excitement) to people around us rather than the true cause.

Why is physical attractiveness important in social interactions?

It is rewarding to look at, influences judgments, and plays a major role in dating and social evaluation.

Why are "average" faces rated as more attractive?

They are perceived as healthier and more genetically fit, according to evolutionary theory.

How did Todorov et al. (2005) demonstrate the influence of attractiveness on perceived competence?

Participants judged more attractive political candidates as more competent, influencing mock election results.

How does the Halo Effect influence perceptions of infants and children?

receive more attention and care; seen as more intelligent and preferred by peers.

Do attractive people benefit legally?

Yes, attractive defendants are less likely to be found guilty.

What traits are genuinely associated with attractive people?

Outgoing, popular, and socially skilled—but not higher in self-esteem or life satisfaction.

Do men and women benefit equally from attractiveness?

Yes, meta-analyses show equal positivity in treatment.

How does culture shape views of attractiveness?

Through media, stories, and social interactions emphasizing good vs. bad looks.

Why are average faces attractive?

They signal good health and mating potential (evolutionary psychology).

What is a composite face?

A digital average of multiple faces; more faces = more attractive.

What did Buss & Schmitt find about men and women across 37 cultures?

Men prioritize physical attractiveness more than women; women value financial status more.

What physical traits do women prefer in men?

Masculine features during ovulation; large eyes, small nose, full lips, etc.

What traits do men prefer in women?

0.7 waist-to-hip ratio, younger age, and features signaling fertility.

What do both genders value most in a partner?

Kindness, dependability, humor, and pleasant disposition.

What is attachment theory?

The idea that early bonds with caregivers influence adult romantic relationships.

What are the 3 main attachment styles?

Secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant.

Who is more likely to leave an unfulfilling relationship?

People with secure attachment styles.

What evidence supports the idea that belonging is a psychological need?

Like hunger or thirst, people experience distress when their need to belong isn't met and feel better when it is satisfied.

How does the need to belong function like a biological need?

It operates on a principle similar to homeostasis—deficiency leads to motivation until the need is met.

Can the need to belong be satisfied in flexible ways?

Yes, people can form substitute bonds (e.g., prisoners forming surrogate families) if primary relationships are unavailable.

What are the benefits of satisfying the need to belong?

Higher self-esteem, happiness, better mental and physical health, stronger immune function, and longer life.

How does rejection affect people psychologically and physically?

It increases vulnerability to stress, depression, and physical illness; can even lead to early death.

What brain area is activated by social rejection, similar to physical pain?

The anterior cingulate cortex.

What are some effects of loneliness?

Depression, eating disorders, weakened immune system, and increased risk of schizophrenia.

How can people combat loneliness?

Reaching out to others, connecting virtually, and even receiving physical affection like hugs.

How significant is loneliness to physical health?

It is as harmful as smoking or obesity in predicting health outcomes.

What is proximity and why is it important in relationship formation?

Physical nearness of others. It increases the likelihood of forming relationships due to increased opportunities for interaction and exposure.

What is the mere exposure effect?

repeated exposure to a person or stimulus increases our liking for them.

How does proximity influence attraction according to Festinger et al. (1950)?

People were more likely to form friendships with those in nearby apartments, highlighting that even random physical proximity predicts attraction.

What is the Reward Model of Liking?

A model suggesting we like people associated with positive experiences and dislike those linked to negative experiences, often through classical conditioning.

What waist-to-hip ratio do men typically prefer, and why?

A lower ratio that signals fertility.

When are women more attracted to masculine faces?

During peak fertility.

What personality traits do both genders rank highest in partner preferences?

Warmth and loyalty.

What is the attachment style with low anxiety and low avoidance?

Secure attachment.

What defines anxious-ambivalent attachment?

High anxiety, low self-esteem, intense but unstable relationships.

What defines avoidant attachment?

High avoidance, distrust of closeness, emotional distance.

What is dismissive avoidant attachment?

High avoidance, low anxiety, positive self-view, negative view of others.

What is fearful avoidant attachment?

High anxiety and avoidance, negative views of self and others.

What are the three components of Sternberg's triangular model of love?

DEL

Secure attachment

60% children who show some distress when their caregiver leaves but are able to compose themselves quickly when the caregiver returns

Anxious Attachment

20% Craves closeness but fears abandonment.

Avoidant attachment

20% Struggles with intimacy and prefers emotional distance.