Psych paper 2 - Human Relationships

Biology of attraction key terms

• evolution

• inter/intrasexual selection

• Natural selection

• Co-dominant expression of MHC gene

• Hormones (testosterone)

Ronay & Von Hippel eval

• well controlled

• naturalistic conditions

• tricks cannot be standardised for difficulty

• independent samples means participant variability could have impacted results

Wedekind eval

• supports evolutionary understandings of why mate selection happens

• other research shows couples that suffer from spontaneous abortions have similar mhc genes

• Reductionist

• double bind reduces demand characteristics

Cognitive approach to forming relationships

Cognitive approach focuses more on how thought processes, perceptions, and mental frameworks shape romantic connections.

Similarity attraction model

Those whom we perceive as similar to ourselves appear more attractive. Couples tend to be of similar age, religion, social class, background, etc. Potentially due to people living in areas where people are similar. It makes sense for people to be attracted to those with similar values as it boosts self esteem.

Halo effect

Halo effect is defined as the tendency for an impression created in one area to influence opinion in another. In relationships this means a person’s physical beauty influences judgement in regards to other qualities.

Eval of cognitive explanations of attraction

• cognitive theories account for personal differences in attraction

• high ecological validity

• Factors influencing relationships are impossible to isolate under normal conditions

• Overly simplistic taken alone

How does sociocultural impact attraction

Emphasis upon social norms, culture, and environmental influences in shaping romantic connections. Unlike other approaches, sociocultural approach highlights how sociocultural perspective highlights how cultural values, societal expectations, and social learning influence whom we find attractive and how relationships develop.

Mere exposure effect

People are more likely to form connections with those they interact with often, such as classmates, coworkers, or community members. Frequent interaction with people increases familiarity making the person appear more attractive. The more often we are exposed to something the more we like it.

Role of culture in attraction

Cultural psychologists argue love is a western phenomenon. One key factor in relationships is cultural norms and expectations. In some cultures, relationships are strongly influenced by family and societal approval, with factors like financial stability, social status, and family values playing a larger role in partner selection.

Eval of sociocultural explanations of attraction

• account for differences between cultures

• theories are less deterministic and more holistic

• Cultural research has a tendency to emphasise differences between cultures, rather than similarities, of which there are many

• Majority of studies use questionnaires and surveys which increase likelihood of research bias and demand characteristics.

Role of communication in relationships

Communication plays an important role in relationships, it accounts for what attracts us to someone, how relationships are maintained, and often a lack of communications is cited as one of the reasons relationships fall apart.

Bradbury and fincham theory on attributions in communication

proposed that the way partners explain each others behaviour has a significant impact on relationship satisfaction. Happy couples make relationship-enhancing attributions (seeing a partners negative behaviour as caused by external factors, and positive behaviour as internal and stable). Distressed couples tend to show distress-maintaining attributions (opposite to relationship enhancing attributions)

Gottmans four horseman of the apocalypse

4 toxic communication styles that strongly predict relationship breakdown:

• criticism

• contempt

• defensiveness

• stonewalling

these four horseman erode intimacy and connection over time, making repair and reconciliation difficult.

Eval of communication research

• Communication is often self reported, such as questionnaires to determine this. this is difficult because communications cannot be verified and therefore it is up to the perceptions of the person filling out the questionnaire.

• Information is open to distortion, especially if there is anger between two partners

• Peak end rule - tendency to remember the last part of relationship, if relationship is in bad shape, that will distort memory of overall relationship