Social Psych - Exam 3: Romance/Attraction

How does beauty play a role in social interactions

researchers believe that certain faces are more attractive than others

- high level of agreement

- positive outcomes (better social treatment, job opportunities, and popularity)

- morphed faces (combination of faces that create smooth, average, and symmetrical face)

Romantic Red: Elliot & Niesta (2008)

The study found that the color red unconsciously increases attraction; men rated women as more attractive when linked with red (e.g., clothing or background), showing that color subtly influences romantic perception.

"what is beautiful is good" stereotype

attractive people are seen as having better traits and lives. Good-looking individuals often receive more positive treatment but may face attribution problems (others assume success is due to looks) and pressure to maintain their appearance.

Mate Selection David Buss

Females: highly selective due to limited reproductive opportunities

- less likely to pursue short term mating due to higher biological costs (pregnancy, childbirth) and risk

Men: can father an unlimited number of children and are generally less selective

- more likely to pursue short-term mating bc they can have kids with minimal investment

- look for "easy" women

What type of women do men prefer

- physical attractiveness, youth, and fertility as indicators of reproductive ability

- loyalty (they don't want to father someone else's child)

What type of men do women prefer

- resources, stability, ambition, protection, and willingness to invest in offspring

- want someone who is invested

- virgins

Buss (1989) Study:

Men tended to prefer traits like “good looks” and “no previous sexual experience,” while women preferred “good financial prospects” and partners who are “ambitious and industrious.”

Buss: How "capable" changes over time

Capability is tied to resource acquisition.

Capability years ago: hunting skill, strength, leadership, and bravery.

Capability today: intelligence, education, ambition, income, and social influence.

Evolutionary lag

Overemphasize muscularity or risk-taking

conspicuous consumption

Buying and using products because of the "statement" they make about social position

(flaunting wealth)

Men vs. Women seeking expressions of love

Women: seeking love (emotional connection)

Men: sex (young women)

Jealousy in romantic relationships

- Men are more likely to be triggered by sexual infidelity, as it threatens certainty of paternity.

- Women are more likely to be triggered by emotional infidelity, as it signals possible loss of resources and commitment.

Evolutionary Mate Preferences: In Theory and in Practice (Finkel and Eastwick 2008)

- looked at real-life behavior matches traditional evolutionary predictions about mate pref (men valuing physical attractiveness and women valuing resources)

- found people say they prefer evolutionary traits in speed dating settings they did not align

- looked more to personal connection

Vaughn et al. (2010): Fertility × Mortality Salience

- Exp Condition: When women were high fertility and reminded of mortality (MS), they preferred less masculine (more average) male faces.

- Control: high-fertility women preferred more masculine faces.

- Result: Morality can override typical fertility based attraction

Intimate Relationships

A close relationship between two adults involving emotional attachment, fulfillment of psychological needs, or interdependence.

social exchange theory

the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs

- high/low comparison levels (used to judge what they expect or feel they deserve in relationship)

- Self-esteem: higher self esteem = higher comparison

- Alternatives: past exes

equity theory

The theory that people are most satisfied with a relationship when the ratio between benefits and contributions is similar for both partners.

Attachment style

The way a person typically interacts with significant others

Powers et al. (2006)

- Insecurely attached individuals experience more stress in romantic relationships.

- Early attachment with parents often reflects in adult romantic attachment.

Sternberg's triangular theory of love

A theory proposing that love has three basic components—intimacy, passion, and commitment—that can be combined to produce eight subtypes.

passionate love

an aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship

- high arousal

- fear of rejection

excitation transfer

The process whereby arousal caused by one stimulus is added to arousal from a second stimulus and the combined arousal is attributed to the second stimulus

White et al 1981 - Arousal without distress

- Physiological arousal = feelings of attraction as long as the arousal is not from distress

- ex. heart racing from going on roller coaster they may see the person next to them as sexually attractive

companionate love

A slow-building, secure, trusting, and stable partnership

Self-disclosure

Self disclosure

Sharing personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a partner, which helps build closeness and strengthen companionate love.

Liking (Sternberg triangular theory of love)

Liking intimacy alone

Companionate love (Sternberg triangular theory of love)

intimacy + commitment

*elderly couple who have been together for years not driven by passion

fatuous love (Sternberg triangular theory of love)

passion + commitment

*couple meets and gets married quickly

Romantic love (Sternberg triangular theory of love)

intimacy + passion

*deeply attracted to each other and share strong emotional connection but haven't committed to a long-term relationship

empty love (Sternberg triangular theory of love)

commitment alone

*arranged marriage

infatuation (Sternberg triangular theory of love)

passion alone

*love at first sight

consummate love

intimacy, passion, commitment

*ultimate love

The marital trajectory

73% of American college students surveyed said they would sacrifice most other life goals rather than give up a satisfying relationship.

Divorce rate is about 50%

Marital satisfaction over time

goes down each year married

breaking up

People's ability to cope with divorce depends on the nature of the loss

Changes in Life Satisfaction Before and After Divorce

Satisfaction goes down before divorce -> after divorce satisfaction increases

Divorce rate and why

40-50%

- why?:

Marrying very young

Lower education levels/financial stress

High conflict/negative communication patterns

Children of divorce 2x as likely

Children of divorce - 60-67% will divorce

Child of intact marriages - 30% will divorce

Neuroticism/insecure attachment/mental health