Relationships

Evolutionary Explanation

• States that all human behaviour is for survival- need to reproduce to pass on genes.
• Women attracted to older, financially and socially stable men- they are able to support her and children. Men attracted to younger females with large waist to hip ratio, symmetrical and of reproductive age.
• + questionnaire of students found that no women agreed to have sex with a stranger yet 75% of men did. Women agreed to meet them that night however.
• + Also research found that in advertisements women were more likely to lie about appearance, men about their financial status.
• - But this supports gender stereotypes which should be avoided and therefore socially sensitive
• - It doesn't support homosexual relationships

Factors Affecting Attraction

• Self Disclosure
• Revealing info about yourself. Thought that if u reveal UFO about yourself then the more someone will like us due to indication of trust.
• - but, research found that this can go against social norms & considered inappropriate if open at the very beginning
• + self disclosure found in both American and Japanese relationships SO cultural validity
• Physical Attractiveness
• Found that if someone had body symmetry and considered attractive then they are seen in a more positive light due to the halo effect
• + research found that women with symmetrical breasts had increased reproductive success
• + greater facial symmetry indicates greater genetic stability
• Matching Hypothesis
• We choose someone based on our own level of attractiveness. We are consistent in measuring this and do so in order to avoid rejection
• + Partners at a blind dance found that each other more attractive if similar level of attractiveness
• + Photos of genuine and non genuine couples- had to match them up- genuine couples matched up better
• Filter Theory
• we apply filters when choosing people for a relationship. These how similar we are demographically, complimentary and in attitudes.
• + 85% of Americans married before 1998 married someoneof same ethnics
• + strangers with similar attitudes found each other more attractive than Those with dissimilar

Theories of Romantic Relationships Exchange Theory

• Social Exchange Theory
• This suggests we run a relationship as a business and we perform a cost benefit analysis on how profitable it is to the losses we face. If the losses are higher than profits then we will not remain in the relationship. We compare the relationship to alternatives and past relationships.
• + Supports domestic abusive Relationships as it explains why people don't leave eventhough major losses- there is no alternative or there is a house to live in
• + Research found that many couples can be considered Exchange couples as they keep mental records of who is ahead or not in the relationship
• - fails to explain why people leave relationships despite having no alternative
• - suggests that all behaviour is selfish

Theories of Romantic Relationships

• Equity Theory
• This is similar to Exchange theory but is more so concerned with balance and fairness in relationship. It works on four principles of profit (costs minimised), Distribution (negotiations), Dissatisfaction and Realignment.
• + in a study, those who found their relationship to be unfair were keen to try strategies (realignment and distribution) in order to save it
• - still focuses on selfish nature: some people take pleasure from taking care of others rather than concerned with their own self
• - equity is far more important to females than males. It suggests beta bias

Theories of Romantic Relationships

• Rusbult's Investment Model
• This attempts to explain why some people are committed in a relationship and why others aren't. This consists of the satisfaction level, comparison with alternatives and investment size
• + Taiwan and holland Relationships were consistent with results of rusbult's model- it has cross cultural validity
• + this supports homosexual relationships: it arguably increases its validity as it explains more than one type of relationship
• + supports abusive Relationships

Duck's Relationship Breakdown

• Duck said a relationship breaks down for three reasons:
• • pre existing doom
• • mechanical failure
• • sudden death
• A breakdown occurs in a set of stages. We go through intrapsychic (internal thoughts), dyadic (discussion with partner), social and grave dressing.
• + gives it social context. Applicable to real life Relationships as usually more than just the two people are aware
• + students were asked and found consistent results with duck's grave dressing phase
• - there are important gender differences as to why a relationship breaks down (men is lack of sex, women is unhappiness).
• - not culturally applicable as in some cultures breakdown is not acceptable
• - may not always occur in that specific order

Virtual Relationships in Social Media

• Self Disclosure
• This involves revealing info bout urself and reveal more info than we would in a physical relationship initially. Known as the stranger on the train phenomenon
• + 9% Americans sent a sect regardless if in a relationship or not BUT sexting very different from revealing this such as thoughts
• + people who lack social skills can benefit from virtual relationships increasing their positivity and perspective on self
• - reveal only the bits we want to so people get an unrealistic perception of us
• Absence of Gating
• Gating is the limiting factors we impose on forming physical relationships- we tend to limit relationships in terms of distance, height, appearance, culture..
• the absence of this allows for the most unusual and unexpected relationships to form
• - most relationships online now have such things as FaceTime where physical appearance is present- this is reductionist
• - people are able to hide dangerous aspects of their own personality

Parasocial Relationships

• Overview
• One sided relationship where one person exceeds more emotional
• • entertainment sub scale: discussion with friends
• • intense personal sub scale: levels of obsession about media personalities
• • borderline pathological sub scale: uncontrollable feelings