Factors Affecting Attraction Relationship FORMATION 1 Physical attractiveness

Factors Affecting Attraction & Relationship FORMATION 1. Physical attractiveness 2. Filter theory 3. Self-disclosure

Physical attractiveness 1. PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENE SS • Halo Effect • Matching Hypothesis

Physical attractiveness The HALO EFFECT “What Is Beautiful Is Good” stereotype People tend to attribute desirable characteristics such as sociable, friendly, poised, warm, competent, and well adjusted to those who are good looking Attractive children and adults are judged and treated more favorably Implications for career & social life

Physical attractiveness MATCHING HYPOTHESIS: - This matching can be in relation to a large number of criteria (appearance, monetary, social status, beliefs, etc), BUT Murstein (1972) suggests that physical attractiveness has a primary function. - He argues that appearance is one of the (if not THE) first things we notice in others, so usually has a huge role in who we ‘filter out’ before other criteria of ‘matching’ are even considered.

Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) 2. FILTER THEORY

FILTER THEORY Task 1: A 01 Fill in the blanks, using the words. Try to work them out on your own. You can use words more than once. filter People_____ possible mates from a range of eligible candidates. The theory suggests that people use______ methodsdifferent at different levels of the process. social__ variables such as _______ race We start with____ or class. We internal then move to more individual and _____ values such as people’s personality _______ _. similarity social variables we are likely to seek ______ For_____ whereas internal for ______ values it may be more important to seek complementarycharacteristics. __________

FILTER THEORY Task 2 1) Using the cards in front of you, try to work out the five factors Kerckhoff and Davis highlighted as being important in the filtering process. Match up the key term, the definition, and the symbol to help you remember. 2) Put the filters in order of importance, most important first! Factor Description Revision Aid

Factor Complement of Needs Proximity Similarity Competence Physical Attraction FILTER THEORY Description Revision Aid How intelligent and competent one appears can be influential in how attractive they are. Not all personality characteristics need to be the same, we are often attracted to people who can give us what we lack. A dominating person may like a submissive person. How good looking someone is has been found to be one of the most important factors in initial relationship formation, as well as longer lasting relationships. Most people will come into contact with people from the same social or cultural background. This can also be the case for internal characteristics such as attitudes, or personality traits. Most people will form a relationship with people close to them geographically. This is mainly due to chance they will meet, speak or generally become aware of one another. 7/10

FILTER THEORY Filters: Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) Factor Proximity Physical Attraction Similarity Complement of Needs Competence Description Revision Aid Most people will form a relationship with people close to them geographically. This is mainly due to chance they will meet, speak or generally become aware of one another. How good looking someone is has been found to be one of the most important factors in initial relationship formation, as well as longer lasting relationships. Most people will come into contact with people from the same social or cultural background. This can also be the case for internal characteristics such as attitudes, or personality traits. Not all personality characteristics need to be the same, we are often attracted to people who can give us what we lack. A dominating person may like a submissive person. How intelligent and competent one appears can be influential in how attractive they are. 7/10

FILTER THEORY Filters: Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) The first filter revolves around the fact that we only meet a very small fraction of people living in our area (proximity filter). Most of those we meet tend to be of a similar social class, education level and maybe even the same ethnicity or racial group (second filter). The third filter is based on psychological (internal) factors. The chances of a short term relationship becoming more permanent depended most on shared beliefs and values, and personality variables.

FILTER THEORY Kerchkoff and Davies (1962) To study the model, Kerkoff & Davies conducted a study using students in a relationship for less than 18 months (short term) with those in a relationship for over 18 months (long term). Using self-report questionnaires, the study found that attitude similarity was the most important factor up to 18 months. However in the long term couples complimenting each others needs became the most important factor.

FILTER THEORY Celebrity Couples 1) Look at these celebrity couples. Try to explain why their relationship was formed according to the Filter Model.

FILTER THEORY Task: A 02! Read each of the studies on your worksheet. Decide which of the filters each of the studies provide support for and why. Extension: How can we criticise these studies in terms of the methods they used? E. g. What are the advantages/disadvantages or using an observation method? Proximity Physical Attraction Similarity Complement of Needs Competence

FILTER THEORY AO 2: Proximity Evidence Festinger et al (1950) Observed friendships that formed in a block of apartments for married students. Students lived across 17 buildings. Students were 10 x’s as likely to form a friendship with people who lived in their own building. Interestingly the most popular people lived nearest to the staircases and post-boxes because they were most likely to be ‘bumped’ into. This is called functional distance. A 03? How can we evaluate the methods used in this study?

FILTER THEORY AO 2: Competency Evidence Aronson et al (1966) Using audio tapes they asked subjects to evaluate the attractiveness of four candidates being interviewed for a famous quiz show. First one was nearly perfect, he answered 92% of the questions correctly, was an honours student in high school, editor of the year book and member of the track team. Second one was nearly perfect too but spilt coffee on himself during the interview. Third one was mediocre, he answered 30% of the questions correctly, average grades in high school and a proof reader for the yearbook. Fourth was also mediocre, and also spilt coffee. Order of attractiveness was 2, 1, 3, 4. We like competent people but not too perfect! A 03? How can we evaluate the methods used in this study?

FILTER THEORY AO 2: Attractiveness Evidence Walster et al (1966) Advertised a “computer dance” for students during fresher’s week. As students arrived, four independent judges assessed each student’s physical attractiveness. The participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire, for use in the computer pairing. In fact the questionnaire was used to provide data about similarity and the pairing was random. During the dance, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about the dance and their dates. The more physically attractive students were liked more by their partners than the less attractive students. Attractiveness proved to be the most important factor in liking, above qualities such as intelligence and personality. Also MATCHING levels of attractiveness was the best predictor of the likelihood that they would see each other again. A 03? How can we evaluate the methods used in this study?

Self Disclosure 3. SELF DISCLOSUR

Self Disclosure Self disclosure involves revealing personal information about yourself. Romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as the relationship develops. These revelations strengthen the relationship if used appropriately. Reis and Shaver, 1988. § There has to be a reciprocal element to self disclosure. There tends to be a balance of self disclosure in successful romantic relationships.

Self Disclosure Social Penetration Theory Altman and Taylor, 1973 Relationships are a gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone, leading to a deep understanding of each others lives.

Self Disclosure Social Penetration Theory There are two elements to this idea – breadth and depth. Low risk information is revealed early on in a relationship and high risk information comes out as the relationship progresses. Why do you think this is the case; any examples?

Self Disclosure Self-disclosure - Research Hendrick, 2004: Heterosexual relationships – found strong correlations between self-disclosure and measures of satisfaction in relationship. Laurenceau et al, 2005: Asked Ppts to write a daily diary. Found that selfdisclosure was linked to higher levels of intimacy in long term married couples. This finding increases the validity of self-disclosure leading to more successful romantic relationships.

Research cont. Self Disclosure Hass and Stafford, 1998: 57% of gay men and women said that open and honest self-disclosure was the main way they maintained their relationships. This finding demonstrates the value of psychological insight (in other words, if people understand how important self-disclosure is, they may be more likely to do it!). Cultural differences – The importance of selfdisclosure is not true for all cultures. Tang et al, 2013 reviewed research regarding sexual self-disclosure. Concluded that men/women in USA disclose significantly more than men/women in China (collectivist Vs individualist cultures. )