Module 3c Transcript - Gender and Intimate Relationships

Flashcards covering gender roles, identity traits such as androgyny, agency, and communion, and the expression of gender differences within intimate relationships.

Androgyny

A state in which an individual expresses high levels of both stereotypically masculine traits (e.g., assertive, independent) and feminine traits (e.g., caring, gentle).

Agency

A social orientation focused on the self and separation from others.

Communion

A social orientation focused on others and connection with others.

Extreme Communion

A state characterized by being overly dependent on others for self-worth, leading to perceived neediness, sacrifice without return, and higher interpersonal distress, depression, and anxiety.

Extreme Agency

A state characterized by being domineering, self-absorbed, and cold, leading to more hostile and negative interactions with other people.

Relationship Memory Complexity

The tendency for women to have better recall of relationship details (e.g., first dates, movie ticket stubs) due to their greater complexity and richness in thinking and talking about relationship events.

Gendered Support Patterns

Observation from daily diary studies that wives increase support for stressed husbands, whereas husbands increase both support and criticism when their wives have stressful days.

Intimacy Definitions

The shared understanding between men and women that intimacy involves expressing appreciation, mutual attraction, receiving support, and physical contact, though men are more likely to specifically mention sex.

Sexual Satisfaction Correlation

The finding that sexual satisfaction is more closely tied to overall relationship satisfaction for men than for women.

Extramarital Affair Statistics

Estimates suggesting that approximately $25\%$ of men and $15\%$ of women engage in extramarital affairs at some point.

Motivations for Extramarital Affairs

General patterns suggesting that men are more driven by sexual dissatisfaction, whereas women are more motivated by a desire for emotional closeness perceived to be lacking with their spouse.