Social Relationships Flashcards

Paradox of Choice

The phenomenon where an abundance of options can lead to difficulty in making a decision, reducing satisfaction in choices made.

Cohabitation

An arrangement where two individuals live together in a romantic relationship without being married.

Long Term Relationships

Relationships characterized by an emotional bond, commitment, and often cohabitation or marriage, lasting over an extended period.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model that describes the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships, emphasizing the importance of early caregiver relationships.

Hookup Culture

A social context where casual sexual encounters are normalized and often disconnected from emotional intimacy or commitments.

Social Media Fatigue

A sense of exhaustion and burnout from excessive use of social media, often exacerbated by the fear of missing out.

AI Companionship

The phenomenon of forming personal attachments or relationships with artificial intelligence entities, such as chatbots.

Criticism (in relationships)

A negative communication style marked by global attacks on a partner's character, rather than addressing specific behaviors.

Five to One Ratio

The ratio of positive to negative interactions in a healthy relationship, where five positive interactions counter one negative one.

Emotional Selectivity Theory

A theory that suggests that as individuals age, they prioritize emotionally meaningful relationships, leading to smaller, more intimate social networks.

Social Relationships

Connections between individuals that are influenced by reciprocal actions, interdependence, and individual behaviors.

Self Modifying

The ability of social relationships to adapt and change based on feedback from the environment or from the individuals involved.

Family Systems Theory

Views the family as a dynamic, self-modifying, and goal-oriented unit that can adjust its behaviors based on interactions.

Interdependence

The condition in which family members mutually influence each other's behaviors and emotions.

Automatic Thoughts

Cognitive processes that occur automatically and can influence feelings and behaviors, often negatively.

Wholeness in Family Systems

The concept that a family is greater than the sum of its parts; the interactions create unique dynamics.

Feedback Loops

Systems of influence where outputs from an individual or system affect inputs, reinforcing behaviors over time.

Cycles of Interaction

Patterns of behavior in social relationships that are influenced by interactions and feedback.

Attachment Theory

A psychological model describing the dynamics of long-term interpersonal relationships, originating from the bond between children and caregivers.

Internal Working Models

Mental representations of self and others developed from early interactions that influence behavior in future relationships.

Mate Selection

The process by which individuals choose partners based on a variety of factors, including attraction and compatibility.

Socio-emotional Selectivity Theory

A theory suggesting that as people age, they prioritize meaningful social relationships, enhancing their overall happiness.

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of how evolutionary principles such as natural selection influence human thoughts and behaviors, especially in mate selection.

Exchange Theory

A theory positing that social interactions are based on the exchange of resources, aiming for mutual benefit.

Positive Feedback

Encouragement for change in behavior or practices within a system.

Negative Feedback

Stability reinforcement in a system that discourages change.

Control Systems

Structures within a family system that dictate how responses to input are managed based on hierarchy and roles.

Cultural Influences on Relationships

The impact of cultural norms and expectations on mate selection and relationship dynamics.

Romantic Attraction

A complex experience involving emotional bonds, physical attraction, and social connection.

Preferences in Partner Selection

Criteria that individuals use to evaluate potential partners, often shaped by prior experiences and societal expectations.