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Chpt10: Interpersonal attraction (a person's desire to approach…
Chpt10: Interpersonal attraction (a person's desire to approach another person for various needs)
Interpersonal attraction
Properties, causes & reasons
Proximity
more likely to see and interact with others when both physical distance and functional distance are low
mere exposure effect
we associate positive feelings with familiarity
study
frequent words were rated more positively than infrequent words
repeated exposure to a stimulus makes it feel more familiar which elicits liking
Propinquity effect
the more we see & interact with ppl, the more likely they become our friends
Similarities
Social validation
eg. political/religious views or attitudes
it says smth right about us when other ppl share the same attitudes or values as ours
similar others have qualities we like-->smoother social interactions
reciprocal liking
we like those who like us
Physical attractiveness
biased assumption abt good looks
eg. more attractive babies were healthier cos receive more positive attention and care from nurses
expect good-looking ppl to be good in social skills
self-fulfilling prophecy
when gd-looking ppl are treated as if they are expected to be socially proficient, it provides them with ample opportunities to develop superior social skills
research study
men who thought they were talking to an attractive woman responded in a warmer and more sociable manner-->led to woman being more confident, animated and warm
Halo effect
assume that individuals with a +ve trait also possesses other +ve traits-->attribute beauty ppl with other good qualities
perceived as more sociable, extroverted, popular and happier
Evolution & Mate preferences
Females
pain & risks during pregnancy and giving birth
pregnancy becomes increasingly dangerous with age
experience of intimacy with baby during pregnancy
reproduction is costly in terms of time, energy, effort
sex cells (egg) are limited
reproductive success
measured by successfully raising each offspring to maturity
pair less frequently and only with carefully chosen males
mate preferences
female
attracted to men with resources and social power to raise offspring
sex diff disappear when
women's economic power increase-->more attracted by physical appearance instead
short term-relationships, both attracted to physical appearance
mate coins study
we prioritise necessities over luxuries, esp when resources are limited
Male
attracted to women who are youthful and healthy-->capable of reproducing successfully
Males
age is not a serious concern to them in sexual reproduction
overall reproduction is relatively low-cost, short-term investment for males than for females
no first-hand experience of intimacy with the baby during pregnancy
reproductive success
measured by
quantity
of offspring
pursue frequent pairings with many females to maximise no. of offspring
sex cells (sperms) are limitless in supply
Social isolation
effects
Unable to receive emotional support
Absence of info that is crucial to do well in the environment
unable to receive concrete physical support from others
Anthropomorphism
when lonely-->compensate the need for social connection by assigning non-human things with human mental states
study
the more lonely ppl were, the more likely they saw gadgets in anthropomorphic terms
lonelier ppl described pets with more anthropomorphic traits (thoughtful, considerate) but not behavioural traits (agile, active)
tendency to imbue nonhuman things with human mental states and physical characteristics
when one is deprived of close contact with others
Relationship models
Social exchange theory
comparison level
the kind of r/s they expect in terms of costs and rewards
if r/s doesn't match the comparison level-->unhappy, unsatisfied
comparison level for alternatives
high
more likley to take the plunge, change things up, find a new friend/lover
expectations abt level of rewards & costs they would receive in an alternative r/s
low
more likely to stay in a costly r/s cos tho what they have may not be great, it's still better than their alternatives
describes r/s satisfaction in terms of the subjective calculations of rewards and costs where ppl want to maximise their benefits and minimise costs
Investment model of commitment
but also on resources invested in the r/s that would be lost by ending it
Depends on commitment, Not satisfaction
Investment
Quality of alternatives
Satisfaction level
Costs
Comparison level
Rewards
ppl's commitment to a r/s depends not only on satisfaction with r/s
Exchange vs communal r/s
Exchange
r/s in which strict reciprocity is expected
Accounting of costs & benefits eg. business partners, strangers
Communal
r/s in which we expect and desire mutual responsiveness to each other's needs
Keeping track not a priority eg. Family, friends
Diff between investment model and social exchange theory
Diff
decision to stay or leave is determined by commitment, not satisfaction
the more we invest in a r/s (by putting in tangible/intangible resources such as time and money that cannot be retrieved if the r/s were to end), the stronger the commitment
However, for investment model, commitment matters as well
instead of focusing solely on the present experience, the investment model focuses on the past as well
similarities
Both describe r/s satisfaction in terms of subjective calculations of rewards and costs
both take into account rewards, costs, comparison level and comparison level for alternatives
This means the greater the investment and hence commitment, the less likely ppl are to leave a r/s, even if the costs outweigh the rewards and other better alternatives are available