Flashcards
Relationships A01
Cards in this deck (24)
- 1Define relationship formation (1).The act of forming and/or creating a relationship. This is initially based around what attracts people to each other; therefore it is more to do with self-interest at this stage.
- 2Outline the social exchange theory of relationship maintenance (4).The best result from a relationship is to make a profit. The individual will try to maximise rewards (companionship,
sex) and minimise costs (effort, financial investment). Maintenance and commitment is dependent on the degree of profitability. We use a comparison level (a standard against which all relationships are compared) and a comparison level for alternatives (where the potential rewards of a new partner are compared to the costs of ending the existing relationship) to determine maintenance. - 3Outline the equity theory of relationship maintenance (4).This theory is based on the underlying principle that people strive to achieve fairness in their relationships. Fairness is subjectively calculated based on a ratio of inputs vs outputs. If we perceive inequity this can cause distress and dissatisfaction (for those who give a great deal and receive little and vice versa). We are motivated to restore equity (e.g: changing our input, demanding more output from the partner). We may also compare the relationship to our comparison level to see if the relationship is profitable enough to be worth maintaining.
- 4Outline the matching hypothesis (4).Couples seek to form relationships with the best possible partner who won't reject them. Couples who are matched in terms of social desirability (physical attractiveness) are more likely to have a happy relationship. This can be explained through the halo effect - if someone is seen as physically attractive they're thought to have other positive attributes (e.g: more sociable). Social attractiveness (status, wealth, popularity etc) and psychological matching for a more long-term partner may also be considered but physical attractiveness is the first determinant.
- 5Outline the rewards/needs satisfaction model (3).This model is based on behaviourist principles. Initially, the rewarding aspects of the relationship help formation in the short term through operant conditioning. It is positively reinforced through rewards like intimacy, sex and
companionship and negatively reinforced through not wanting to be lonely. - 6Outline Rollie and Duck's model of relationship breakdown (4).Rollie and Duck's model proposed that relationship breakdown occurs in a series of stages. Breakdown is the first, in which dissatisfaction in the relationship is experienced by one party. Intrapsychic processes follow, where the partner ruminates and socially withdraws. Dyadic processes occur next, in which the perceived problems are aired and disputed. In the social processes stage the break up intentions are made public. After the split grave-dressing processes occur, where stories are prepared for different audiences. Resurrection processes is the final stage where the person moves on and learns from their mistakes.
- 7Outline lack of skills as a factor for relationship breakdown (4).Relationships can be difficult because some people lack the interpersonal skills to make them mutually satisfying. For example, people lacking social skills may be poor conversationalists and poor at indicating their interest in other people. Therefore, they may be unrewarding in their interactions. Others may perceive this as a lack of interest in relating, thus contributing to relationship breakdown.
- 8Outline the runaway process (2).If a particular characteristic (e.g: youthfulness, strong jaw) becomes established as a universal preference amongst males/females then those with the characteristic will have a greater chance of reproductive success. Therefore the traits are increasingly exaggerated over evolutionary time. This is known as the runaway process.
- 9Outline facial preference as a factor affecting sexual selection (1).An attractive face represents "good genes". People with attractive traits are more likely to be preferred as mates due to the potential benefit of passing them onto offspring.
- 10Define sexual selection (1).The process in which a species changes over time as a result of passing on the genes that make one individual more attractive than another.
- 11Outline resources as a factor that affects sexual selection (1)Another factors that may affect sexual selection is resources. An individual that can offer potential mates valuable resources (e.g: financial security) are more likely to be selected.
- 12Outline long-term investments in terms of sexual selection (1).Both sexes invest heavily in offspring so choosiness takes place. Women look for resources in a partner (e.g: protection, parenting skills) whilst men look for signs of fertility.
- 13Outline short-term relationships in terms of sexual selection and reproductive behaviour (2).Men have evolved a greater desire for casual sex so they are able to impregnate a larger number of women and pass on genes. Women however, experience different evolutionary pressures. Casual sex may lower the quality of genes for their offspring and the woman may develop a bad reputation, which reduces value for a potential future mating partner. Therefore women are less likely to engage in casual sex.
- 14Outline Triver's parental investment theory (3).The sex most likely to be involved in bearing and caring for the offspring is likely to be choosier and more discriminating when it comes to selecting a mating partner. In humans this is the woman because she carries the embryo for 9 months and can only produce a limited number of offspring.
- 15Outline differences in choosiness (1).Males are less choosy because they focus on prioritising reproductive potential. Maternal investment is higher because the female won't experience parental uncertainty and is therefore more choosy about whose genes they want their child to have.
- 16Outline why paternal investment is lower (2).Parental investment in males is lower because males are able to opt out with more ease. They can focus on courtship and copulation rather than paternal care. Another reason for low paternal investment is because men are at risk of cuckoldry because they can never be certain that the offspring is their own. If they do invest, they may invest resources in another man's offspring.
- 17Outline sexual and emotional jealousy (2).Sexual jealousy has evolved as a response to infidelity (investing in offspring that aren't his). Women are more concerned with emotional jealousy as he could shift his attention and resources onto another woman, leaving her without protection and support.
- 18Outline Bowlby's basic theory of how childhood influences adult relationships (2).Bowlby suggested that the relationships we go on to develop are strongly influenced by the schema that we develop from relationships in early childhood (peers, parents etc.). This relationship provides information on reliability of the attachment figure and the different sorts of emotional experiences that might be expected.
- 19Outline the internal working model in terms of attachment type (2).The child's primary attachment figure acts like a blueprint. Early attachment type promotes an internal working model of relationships, which influences expectations of future relationships. Secure attachment results in happier, long-lasting relationships whilst those who were insecurely attached find relationships more difficult.
- 20Outline adolescent relationships (4).As we get older attachment shifts from parents to peers. The development of adolescent relationships serves 3 main purposes: it enables the process of independence and autonomy from parents, gives the individual a chance to try out their skills at forming intimate relationships with others and avoid loneliness and it also enables them to experience a physical and emotional intimacy that's significantly different to that experienced with their parents.
- 21Outline cultural differences in romantic relationships (2)Different cultures have different ideas about what a romantic relationship should be. Their norms and values significantly influence the formation and development of relationships. Various factors influence this.
- 22Outline voluntary relationships (2).In individualist societies people choose their own romantic partner because marriage is viewed to be driven by love, happiness and freedom of choice. The urban setting of Western society allows for greater social mobility so we can interact with a large number of people voluntarily, leading to voluntary relationships and marriage.
- 23Outline non-voluntary relationships (2).In collectivist societies a lack of urban centres means there's a lower social mobility rate so people have less of a choice about who they interact with and therefore a smaller pool of potential relationships. Freedom of choice is limited so relationship formation is often tied to other factors such as family investment (e.g: dowry system in India) in what is gained from the marriage, leading to non-voluntary marriages.
- 24Outline the role of romantic love in differing cultures (2).Individualist couples would be expected to experience marital satisfaction and compatibility whereas collectivist couples wouldn't because of their differing reasons for marriage. Individualist cultures highly regard romantic love in relationship formation but collectivist cultures may view marriage as more of a practical setup for goals and interests.
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- A Levels Psychology (Relationships) Flashcards on Relationships A01, created by Hazel Meades on 25/03/2015.
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- Hazel Meades · Mar 2015
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- Oct 27, 2016
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