Reward/Need Satisfaction Theory A01

Page 1

Reward/Need Satisfaction Theory

- States we are most likely to form relationships with people we find rewarding (e.g. make us laugh) and produce a positive feeling within us.

- Other rewards may include physical attractiveness of the partner or financial stability.

- This is a form of operant conditioning - they are a source of reinforcement so we will want to spend more time with them so relationship formation is more likely.

- Theory also states we are motivated to avoid punishing stimuli.

- Furthermore, theory uses concept of classical conditioning.

- Claims we are more likely to be attracted to someone (and so more likely to form a relationship) if we associate them with a pleasant event e.g. being happy rather than sad.

- In this way, a previously neutral stimulus (unknown person) can become positively valued due to their association with a pleasant event.

- There are two distinct stages in relationship formation - first we sort through potential partners for dissimilarity (avoiding those too different from ourselves) and then of those remaining we are likely to choose someone most like us.