🎠Social Psychology Unit 10 – Interpersonal Attraction & Relationships

What's This Unit All About?

• Focuses on the psychology of interpersonal attraction and close relationships between individuals
• Examines the factors that lead to initial attraction, development of relationships, and maintenance of long-term bonds
• Explores various theories and models that explain the complex nature of human attraction and relationships
• Investigates the role of communication, emotions, and behaviors in shaping the dynamics of interpersonal relationships
• Considers the influence of cultural norms, gender roles, and societal expectations on attraction and relationship patterns
• Discusses the challenges and conflicts that may arise in relationships and strategies for resolving them
• Highlights the importance of understanding attraction and relationships for personal growth, well-being, and social functioning

Key Theories of Attraction

• Reinforcement-affect model suggests that people are attracted to those whose presence is associated with positive feelings and rewards
• Mere exposure effect proposes that repeated exposure to a person or stimulus can increase liking and attraction
  • Familiarity breeds liking rather than contempt in many cases
• Matching hypothesis posits that people tend to form relationships with others who are similar in terms of physical attractiveness and other attributes
• Equity theory emphasizes the importance of perceived fairness and balance in relationships
  • Individuals are more satisfied when they perceive their contributions and rewards to be equitable
• Attachment theory highlights the impact of early childhood experiences on adult relationship patterns
  • Secure, anxious, or avoidant attachment styles can influence relationship dynamics
• Triangular theory of love by Sternberg proposes that love consists of three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment
• Social exchange theory suggests that people weigh the costs and benefits of relationships and seek to maximize rewards while minimizing costs

Factors Influencing Attraction

• Physical attractiveness plays a significant role in initial attraction, often based on cultural standards of beauty
• Proximity and accessibility increase the likelihood of interaction and relationship formation
  • Living or working in close proximity can foster attraction
• Similarity in attitudes, values, interests, and personality traits contributes to attraction and compatibility
• Reciprocity of liking, where individuals are more attracted to those who show interest in them
• Complementarity, where individuals are attracted to others who possess qualities or traits that complement their own
• Emotional arousal and physiological responses can intensify feelings of attraction
  • Misattribution of arousal can lead to increased attraction in certain situations
• Social status, power, and resources can influence attraction, particularly in some cultural contexts
• Shared experiences and self-disclosure can deepen attraction and emotional connection

Stages of Relationships

• Acquaintance stage involves initial encounters and superficial interactions
• Build-up stage is characterized by increased communication, self-disclosure, and development of trust
• Continuation stage marks the establishment of a committed relationship with shared goals and intimacy
• Deterioration stage may occur when challenges, conflicts, or dissatisfaction arise in the relationship
  • Lack of communication, unresolved issues, or external stressors can contribute to deterioration
• Termination stage involves the ending of the relationship, either through mutual agreement or unilateral decision
• Post-dissolution stage includes the process of coping with the end of the relationship and potential for remaining friends or cutting ties completely
• Rekindling stage may happen when former partners decide to give the relationship another chance after a period of separation

Types of Love

• Passionate love is characterized by intense emotions, physical attraction, and a strong desire for union
  • Often associated with the early stages of a relationship and can be short-lived
• Companionate love is based on deep affection, trust, and commitment that develops over time
  • Involves a strong emotional bond and a sense of partnership
• Consummate love is a combination of passionate and companionate love, representing an ideal form of love
• Unrequited love occurs when one person has strong feelings for another who does not reciprocate those feelings
• Empty love exists when commitment remains but passion and intimacy have faded
• Infatuation is an intense but short-lived form of attraction based on physical appearance or superficial qualities
• Fatuous love is characterized by passion and commitment without a strong foundation of intimacy or compatibility

Communication in Relationships

• Effective communication involves clear, honest, and respectful exchange of thoughts, feelings, and needs
• Active listening skills, such as paraphrasing and empathy, foster understanding and connection
• Nonverbal communication, including body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, conveys important emotional messages
• Self-disclosure, or sharing personal information and experiences, deepens intimacy and trust
• Conflict resolution strategies, such as compromise and collaboration, help couples navigate disagreements constructively
  • Avoiding blame, focusing on the issue at hand, and seeking win-win solutions are key
• Assertiveness, or expressing one's needs and boundaries clearly and respectfully, promotes healthy communication
• Empathy, or the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, facilitates emotional connection and support

Challenges and Conflicts

• Misunderstandings and miscommunications can lead to hurt feelings, resentment, and erosion of trust
• Unmet expectations and differing priorities can strain relationships and cause dissatisfaction
• Infidelity, whether emotional or physical, can severely damage trust and lead to relationship breakdown
• Jealousy and possessiveness can create tension and undermine the sense of security in a relationship
• External stressors, such as financial difficulties, work-life balance, or family issues, can put pressure on relationships
• Personality differences and incompatible values can lead to recurring conflicts and a sense of disconnection
• Lack of effort or investment in maintaining the relationship can result in emotional distance and dissatisfaction
  • Neglecting quality time, affection, or shared interests can weaken the bond

Cultural Influences on Attraction and Relationships

• Cultural norms and expectations shape the expression and perception of attraction and love
  • Collectivistic cultures may prioritize family approval and arranged marriages
  • Individualistic cultures may emphasize personal choice and romantic love
• Gender roles and expectations can influence relationship dynamics and power balances
• Religious beliefs and practices can impact relationship formation, sexual behavior, and marital expectations
• Socioeconomic status and class differences can affect partner selection and relationship stability
• Cultural values surrounding marriage, divorce, and family structure vary across societies
  • Acceptance of same-sex relationships, cohabitation, and single parenthood differs by culture
• Globalization and cross-cultural interactions can lead to the exchange and integration of diverse relationship practices and ideals
• Acculturation, or the process of adapting to a new culture, can influence relationship patterns among immigrants and their descendants