PSYCH260: Attraction and Intimacy

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on attraction and intimacy in social psychobiology.

Need to Belong

Motivation to bond with others in relationships that provide ongoing, positive interactions; companionship is central to human well-being.

Affiliation

The process of wanting to be near others and have pleasant and affectionate interactions with them.

Loneliness

Feeling isolated from others, often resulting from ostracism or rejection.

Equity (Social Exchange)

The benefits received in a relationship MUST be proportional to the contributions (e.g., business partners).

Communal Sharing (Social Exchange)

All members share resources as needed (e.g., close family).

Authority (Social Exchange)

Resources assigned according to rank (e.g., military squad).

Equality Matching (Social Exchange)

People take turns and share equally (e.g., children playing a game).

Market (Social Exchange)

Individuals trade to maximize benefits in a 'deal' (e.g., customer).

Social Support

Emotional, informational, or material assistance provided by people in one’s social network.

Emotional Support

Offering of empathy, concern, affection, warmth, and care provided by others.

Informational Support

Provision of advice, guidance, and other types of information.

Material Support

Concrete, often financial ways that people help us.

Exchange Relationships

Transactional relationships where we provide and benefit, with primary concerns being equity and reciprocity.

Communal Relationships

Relationships characterized by a focus on the well-being and needs of others, with a primary focus on giving.

Friend

Someone with whom we have a long-term, often affectionate, relationship, based on equality, enjoyment, trust, mutual help, shared interests, and closeness.

Physical Attraction

The degree to which a person's physical features are considered aesthetically pleasing or beautiful, influencing perceptions and social interaction.

Halo Effect

A cognitive bias where a positive impression of someone influences our overall perception of them in other unrelated areas.

Reinforcement-Affect Model

We like people we associate with positive feelings and dislike those we associate with negative feelings.

Mere Exposure Effect

People have a tendency to develop a preference for things simply because they are familiar with them.

Similarity (Homogamy)

We tend to become attracted to people we are similar (but not identical) to.

Attachment

A biologically based affectional tie that binds a person to another, motivating individuals to maintain proximity.

Secure Attachment

Characterized by being outgoing with strangers but cognizant of mother’s whereabouts.

Resistant Attachment

Characterized by Anxious/ambivalent reactions.

Avoidant Attachment

Characterized by playing alone, showing little distress during separation.

Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment

Characterized by Confused behavior.

Female cues of attraction

Quick, sidelong glances, head toss, hair flip, lip licks, smiling and laughter

Male cues of attraction

Expanded posture, lifted chin, smile

Sociosexuality

Willingness to engage in sexual relationships in the absence of a serious romantic relationship (either unrestricted or restricted).

Jealousy

Being unhappy when we feel competition in our romantic exchanges.

Passion (Sternberg)

Physiological arousal, romantic feelings, excitement (infatuation).

Intimacy (Sternberg)

Feelings of warmth, caring, close bond, support, communication (liking).

Commitment (Sternberg)

Long-term decision (empty love).

Companionate Love

Affection and tenderness for those whose lives are entwined with our own.

Fatuous Love

Courtship, whirlwind, bond sustained by passion.

Romantic Love

Enjoyment of company and attraction (long-term precursor).

Consummate Love

High levels of all three components: passion, intimacy, and commitment; the “ideal”, complete form of love.

Equity (Relationship Maintenance)

People receive proportional benefits from the relationship to what they contribute.

Self-Disclosure

Revealing intimate aspects of oneself; open, honest communication.