Flashcards
Relationship A02/3
Cards in this deck (18)
- 1Evaluate the rewards/needs satisfaction model in terms of overemphasis on rewardHowever, the model can be criticised because of its overemphasis on the importance of rewards. Many relationships aren't driven by the need for instantaneous reinforcement. For example, the parent-child relationship may be reinforced instead by the long-term reward of passing on their genes. This suggests that the model is overly simplistic.
- 2Evaluate the inequity theory in terms of it being an improvement on the social exchange theoryThis explanation is however, an improvement on the social exchange theory because it takes both partners into account instead of focusing on the needs and demands of one. This means that the explanation offers a more holistic approach.
- 3Evaluate the social exchange theory in terms of limited explanationHowever, the social exchange theory may offer a limited explanation. It doesn't explain why some people leave relationships despite having no alternative or how great the disparity in comparison level has to be to become unsatisfactory. Therefore the explanation is oversimplistic.
- 4Evaluate Cina et al in terms of sample sizeWhilst this study does show a useful real life application of our knowledge, it only uses a small sample of 50 couples. Further research is needed to confirm and verify the treatment's effectiveness. Currently, the small sample size means that the conclusion cannot be generalised to other populations, thus weakening the explanation.
- 5Evaluate lack of skills in terms of it being overly simplistic.However, lack of skills is only one factor in the breakdown of relationships. Boekhout et al also found that men's reasons for infidelity were more to do with lack of sexual stimulation (e.g: sexual excitement, boredom, variety), indicating that there may be gender differences in this area. Therefore the explanation is too simplistic.
- 6Evaluate research into relationship breakdown in terms of ethical issuesHowever, participants may experience distress in revisiting the areas that led to breakdown. Therefore it is important that researchers consider protection from harm, especially in the area of abusive relationships in which confidentiality and privacy in taking part in the experiment may be vital to the participants' wellbeing.
- 7Evaluate Buss on the basis of ecological validityHowever, 37 is not representative of the many cultures present in the world. Whilst the study does give an indication of expressed preferences in sexual selection, these may not equate to real relationships where compromise may be necessary. This makes the explanation less applicable to real life.
- 8Evaluate Clarke and Hatfield in terms of social desirability biasHowever, the results of the questionnaire may not be valid because women may respond in light of not wanting to have a bad reputation when starting relationships afresh at university. This social desirability bias weakens the explanation.
- 9Evaluate parental investment theory in terms of reconstituted familiesHowever this can be criticised by the fact that resources invested by fathers and step fathers (e.g: financial support, time spent with child) were found to be similar. Parental investment theory suggests that investment would always be greater if they know that the child is biologically theirs. Therefore it doesn't reflect the modern complexities of family relationships.
- 10Evaluate Baker and Bellis in terms of self-reportHowever, this study is vulnerable to social desirability bias. No one wants to admit to being a bad or unprepared parent so this self-report measure may lack validity, weakening the explanation.
- 11Chimp and bonobo researchFound: These 2 species are closely related to us. The males show little or no parental investment therefore male parenting in humans may represent a dramatic evolutionary change.
- 12Evaluate Geher et al in terms of a student sampleHowever the study lacks population validity because of the student sample. The student lifestyle is more about having fun so they won't necessarily want the responsibility of children yet. Therefore the study can't be generalised to the wider population and those who are parents, weakening the explanation.
- 13Evaluate adolescent relationships in terms of attachment typeHowever, the theory doesn't take into account the fact that attachment types may change in response to experiences as we grow up. After experiencing an abusive relationship as a teenager, we may become insecurely attached despite being securely attached to our parents during childhood. This suggests that the explanation overly simplistic.
- 14Evaluate Simpson et al in terms of self-reportSocial desirability bias may affect results in the sensitive area of relationships. People will want to give the impression that they're well-adjusted and secure in their relationships so answers may lack validity. This weakens the reliability of the data and therefore weakens the theory.
- 15Evaluate Hazan and Shaver in terms of retrospective dataIn the study some of the participants were over 80. Their memory of childhood experiences may not be accurate. The use of retrospective data reduces the validity of the study and therefore the theory.
- 16Evaluate Levine et al in terms of self-reportHowever, love can't be measured objectively. It may mean different things for different people. Participants may not want to admit to not being in love because they wouldn't want to be judged. Therefore, social desirability bias may affect the validity of the data and theory.
- 17Evaluate Epstein in terms of divorce ratesDivorce rates may not be a good source of data for judging marital satisfaction. Despite unhappiness the individual may feel obliged to stay in the relationship for other reasons (e.g: if divorce is frowned upon in their culture). This reduces the validity of the study and therefore the theory.
- 18Evaluate cultural differences in relationships in terms of other factorsHowever, relationship differences may be due to urbanisation and not culture. For example, China is a rapidly developing culture and may have become less collectivist as a result. Parental domination of partner choice has dropped from 70-10% over the years, suggesting that culture may not be the reason for differences. This reduces the validity of the explanation.
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- A Levels Psychology (Relationships) Flashcards on Relationship A02/3, created by Hazel Meades on 19/05/2015.
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- Hazel Meades · May 2015
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- Feb 19, 2016
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