Cross-Cultural Studies on Mate Preferences and Relationships

Aim of Buss (1989)

To investigate cross-cultural similarities and differences in mate preferences between males and females.

Participants and countries in Buss's study

Over 10,000 participants from 33 countries (37 samples).

Method used by Buss (1989)

Survey with standardized questions about mate preferences.

Characteristics females rated higher than males

Good financial prospects, ambition, and older age.

Traits males consistently preferred

Youth, physical attractiveness, and chastity.

Buss's findings and evolutionary theory

They show gender-based patterns in mate preferences consistent with maximizing reproductive success.

Major limitation of using surveys

Self-report bias and cultural interpretation may affect accuracy.

Key ethical considerations in Buss (1989)

Confidentiality and cultural sensitivity in question framing.

Hormone investigated in Scheele et al. (2012)

Oxytocin.

Tasks participants completed in Scheele et al. (2012)

The stop-distance paradigm and the approach/avoidance joystick task.

Effect of oxytocin on men in relationships

They kept greater distance from attractive women and avoided attractive female images.

Sample size and composition in Scheele et al. (2012)

86 heterosexual men, some single and some in committed relationships.

Importance of the double-blind method in Scheele's study

It controlled for experimenter and participant bias.

Relation of Scheele's study to fidelity in relationships

It shows that oxytocin may biologically promote monogamous behavior.

Strength and limitation of Scheele's lab experiment

Strength: cause-effect conclusions; Limitation: low ecological validity.

Ethical guideline upheld in Scheele's study

Informed consent.

Setting of Ronay & von Hippel's study

A naturalistic skate park setting.

Tasks skateboarders were asked to perform

Easy and difficult tricks, each repeated 10 times.

Role of the attractive female researcher

To observe participants and serve as a social stimulus.

Biological change observed in the presence of an attractive woman

Increased testosterone levels.

Study suggestion about evolutionary mating strategies

Men may take more risks as a mating display to signal fitness.

Ecological validity of Ronay & von Hippel's study

It was conducted in a real-world setting with a natural task.

Ethical risk faced by participants in Ronay & von Hippel's study

Potential physical injury from attempting difficult tricks.

Relation of risk-taking to interpersonal relationships

Displays of strength and risk-taking may function as biological mating signals.

Main hypothesis of Markey & Markey (2007)

People are attracted to romantic partners with similar personality traits.

Assessment of participants' personalities and preferences in Markey & Markey

Using standardized self-report personality surveys.

Trend found regarding similar traits in romantic partners

Participants preferred partners who were similar to themselves.

Method used in Markey & Markey and its advantage

Survey method; standardized and easy to replicate.

Key limitation of using self-report surveys

Social desirability bias and inaccurate self-perception.

Cognitive approach to relationship formation

Attraction is influenced by perceived similarity and mental representations.

Aim of Moreland & Beach (1992)

To investigate the effect of repeated exposure on perceived attractiveness.

Confederates in Moreland & Beach study

Four women who attended a different number of psychology lectures without interaction.

Manipulated variable in Moreland & Beach experiment

The number of times each woman was seen in class.

Traits rated by participants in Moreland & Beach study

Attractiveness, intelligence, honesty, success, etc.

Main finding of Moreland & Beach study

Greater exposure led to higher attractiveness ratings.

Mere exposure effect

People tend to like others more the more frequently they see them.

Strengths of Moreland & Beach method

Ecological validity, real-life setting.

Limitation of Moreland & Beach method

Lack of control over variables.

Theory supported by Sheldon's study

Social Penetration Theory.

Type of self-disclosure leading to higher trust and attraction

Disclosure of intimate and deep topics.

Target platform in Sheldon's study

Facebook.

Method used in Sheldon (2009)

Correlational survey; standardized and replicable, but prone to self-report bias and lacks causation.

Relation of Sheldon's study to online relationship formation

It shows that deep online self-disclosure can increase attraction and trust.

Topics bloggers disclosed in Tang & Wang (2012)

Personal interests and life experiences.

Who did bloggers disclose to most deeply?

Real-life best friends.

Comparison of online vs real-life self-disclosure

Real-life disclosure is deeper and more intimate than online sharing.

Ethical considerations for an online survey

Ensuring confidentiality and informed consent.

How this study relates to Social Penetration Theory

It supports the theory but suggests that real-world relationships involve deeper disclosure.

Model of relationship breakdown applied by LeFebvre et al. (2014)

Rollie and Duck's (2006) stage model.

Common behaviors during and after Facebook breakups

Deleting photos, unfriending, stalking, and impression management.

Main online strategies used to cope with breakups

Self-presentation, blocking, and managing digital memories.

Stages of Rollie & Duck's model most supported in findings

Social stage, grave-dressing, and resurrection.

Ethical risks in retrospective qualitative research

Psychological discomfort from recalling emotional breakups.

Definition of ghosting according to LeFebvre (2019)

Unilaterally ending communication through technology without closure.

Common reasons for ghosting someone

Convenience, safety concerns, loss of interest, and negative partner behavior.

Psychological impacts on the noninitiator of ghosting

Feelings of confusion, lack of closure, and distress.

Why is ghosting considered a digital-era phenomenon?

It relies on modern communication technology and online dating norms.

Ethical challenges in studying ghosting experiences

Potential emotional distress when reflecting on unresolved relationship endings.