SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY ATTRACTIVENESS AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS I Ji

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SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY ATTRACTIVENESS AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS I Jiří Čeněk

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY ATTRACTIVENESS AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS I Jiří Čeněk

COURSE SCHEDULE – LAST LECTURES 20. 3. Rectors inauguration – NO lecture 30. 3.

COURSE SCHEDULE – LAST LECTURES 20. 3. Rectors inauguration – NO lecture 30. 3. National holiday - NO lecture = 13. + 16. + 23. 3. Last three normal lectures 27. 3. Presentation of the assignments 27. 3. , 13. 00 First exam term

CONTENT Close relationships I Need to belong Attraction � Physical attraction � Relationship factors

CONTENT Close relationships I Need to belong Attraction � Physical attraction � Relationship factors � Social factors Close relationships II Love � Theories of love � Relationship satisfaction � Problems in relationship

THE NEED TO BELONG „What is that makes your life meaningful? “ „What is

THE NEED TO BELONG „What is that makes your life meaningful? “ „What is neccesary for your hapiness? “ Most people mention: „Close relationships with: “ � friends, � family, � romantic partners. Basic human motive, 50 % of time with others We care deeply about what others think of us. Those with a network of close social ties tend to be: � happier, � healthier, � more satisfied with life than those who are more isolated

ATTRACTION How are people attracted to each other? What characteristics are desired in a

ATTRACTION How are people attracted to each other? What characteristics are desired in a relationship?

ATTRACTION Work: Interpersonal attraction scale

ATTRACTION Work: Interpersonal attraction scale

WHAT PEOPLE DO WE TEND TO BE ATTRACTED TO?

WHAT PEOPLE DO WE TEND TO BE ATTRACTED TO?

ATTRACTION 2 Groups of theories: 1. Evolutionary perspective � Men and women are attracted

ATTRACTION 2 Groups of theories: 1. Evolutionary perspective � Men and women are attracted to different characteristics in each other because these foster reproductive success (conception, birth, and survival of offsprings) � What characteristics are important to men? To women? Why (according to EP)? 2. Theories based on rewards (direct/indirect) � Minimax principle: Minimize costs – maximize rewards � Principle of equity

ATTRACTION Principle of equity � Love, true friendship → not so bound to exchange

ATTRACTION Principle of equity � Love, true friendship → not so bound to exchange benefits � Equitable long-term relationship → less concern about short-term equity → Not calculating = Mark of true frienship, love!!!

ATTRACTION 3 groups of factors influencing interpersonal attraction: � Physical attractiveness � Relationship factors

ATTRACTION 3 groups of factors influencing interpersonal attraction: � Physical attractiveness � Relationship factors � Situational factors

ATTRACTION I. Physical attractiveness

ATTRACTION I. Physical attractiveness

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Facial � High attractiveness as objective quality levels of agreement for facial

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Facial � High attractiveness as objective quality levels of agreement for facial ratings across ages and cultures � Physical features of the face are reliably associated with judgments of attractiveness � Babies prefer faces considered attractive by adults

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS „Morphing experiments“ � Preference � of average features http: //www. faceresearch. org/demos/average

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS „Morphing experiments“ � Preference � of average features http: //www. faceresearch. org/demos/average

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Valuing � One symmetry of explanations of preference of average photos �

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Valuing � One symmetry of explanations of preference of average photos � Symmetry is attractive (sign of health)

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Baby-faced features (Especially for women) � round features, � large eyes, �

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Baby-faced features (Especially for women) � round features, � large eyes, � small noses, � high foreheads, � short chins, � relatively lighter skin and hair Seem to have baby-like personality attributes � be more naive, helpless, honest… � https: //www. youtube. com/embed/2 r. ALJido 4 i. I

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Men more attractive when features resemble maturity and dominance…

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Men more attractive when features resemble maturity and dominance…

THE PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS EFFECT

THE PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS EFFECT

Physically atractive people: Greater likelyhood to get a job Higher starting salaries Bigger raises

Physically atractive people: Greater likelyhood to get a job Higher starting salaries Bigger raises � Frieze (1991), 1 -5 points attractiveness scale � With each point + 2100 (woman)/2600 (man) $ a year Higher job security � Better evaluations Attractive criminals – lower bails, smaller fines https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=b_gx 2 Uc 95 os#t=75

WHAT FACTORS MIGHT CAUSE PAE?

WHAT FACTORS MIGHT CAUSE PAE?

CAUSES? ? ? 4 Possible explanations: Aesthetics Stereotypes Social skills Social profits

CAUSES? ? ? 4 Possible explanations: Aesthetics Stereotypes Social skills Social profits

AESTHETIC APPEAL „We like to look at things that are visually appealing“

AESTHETIC APPEAL „We like to look at things that are visually appealing“

AESTHETIC APPEAL Researches: � Infants look longer at pictures of attractive people, � People

AESTHETIC APPEAL Researches: � Infants look longer at pictures of attractive people, � People remember attractive people better

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS STEREOTYPE = „What is beautiful is good. “ Attractive people have more

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS STEREOTYPE = „What is beautiful is good. “ Attractive people have more positive traits. Percieved as more: � Intelligent, � Socially competent, sociable, � Dominant, � Extroverted, � Happier…

SOCIAL SKILLS „Attractive � More people have more social skills. “ + interactions/less –

SOCIAL SKILLS „Attractive � More people have more social skills. “ + interactions/less – interactions � More help, attention, reward

SOCIAL PROFIT „You look good if your date is good-looking. “ Gieselman et al.

SOCIAL PROFIT „You look good if your date is good-looking. “ Gieselman et al. (1984)

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Attractiveness � People as a social norm from different cultures enhance their

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Attractiveness � People as a social norm from different cultures enhance their beauty in very different ways � Ideal body shapes vary across cultures, as well as among racial groups within a culture

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Xrp 0 z. JZu 0 a 4

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Xrp 0 z. JZu 0 a 4

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Both sexes prefer attractive partners, but for males attractivity in a dating

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Both sexes prefer attractive partners, but for males attractivity in a dating partner is more important. � Koestner 1988: Analysis of dating advertisements. � 1/3 men requires attractive partner � 1/7 females only � More females advertise physical attractiveness � Seinfeld: � https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=3 qhyowdvtq. E

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Women 1. Resources: 2. value more: Wealth Possible access to resources: Status

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Women 1. Resources: 2. value more: Wealth Possible access to resources: Status Education 3. Other traits: Ambitiousness Character Women willing to marry someone who is not good looking, 5 + years, older, better paid and educated.

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS The matching phenomenon = People prefer partners who are about as attractive

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS The matching phenomenon = People prefer partners who are about as attractive as they are. Strong correspondence between attractiveness of wives and husbands, dating partners. Those most similar in physical attractiveness are most likely to fall in love or marry. Couples � Less who are not balanced: attractive partner has to compensate.

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Evolutionary Perspective � Gender differences in attractiveness explained in terms of reproductive

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Evolutionary Perspective � Gender differences in attractiveness explained in terms of reproductive strategy. � Goal: Maximizing reproductive success. Men: � Theoretically unlimited number of sexual partners and offsprings. � Look for fertile women who can have healthy children (smooth skin, waist-to-hip ratio) Women: � Limited amount of children. � Value partners that can provide resources

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHILDREN - MEN? - WOMEN?

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHILDREN - MEN? - WOMEN?

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Woman record: 69 Mrs. and Mr. Feodor Vassilyev (1725 - 1765) �

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Woman record: 69 Mrs. and Mr. Feodor Vassilyev (1725 - 1765) � sixteen pairs of twins, � seven sets of triplets and � four sets of quadruplets � in a total of 27 births. Man record: 867 Ismail Ibn Sharif Alaouite sultan of Morocco, fathered 525 sons and 342 daughters with multiple wives and concubines.

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Menstrual cycle and attractiveness Gangestad (2004): Videos with men, rated their attractiveness

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Menstrual cycle and attractiveness Gangestad (2004): Videos with men, rated their attractiveness for short-term (sexual affair) or long-term mate � Fertile time: Preference of physical attractiveness, masculinity, dominance for short-term partners � Non-fertile time: Physical attractiveness not that important � No differences for long-term partners (caring husbands, nice guys, faithful, access to resources)

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Sexual behavior and attractiveness Schmitt (2001): Easy sexual accessibility vs. Relationship exclusivity.

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Sexual behavior and attractiveness Schmitt (2001): Easy sexual accessibility vs. Relationship exclusivity. � Interviews with research confederates � Short-term partners: Men prefer easy sexual access. Women difficult sexual access. � Long-term partners: Relationship exclusivity preffered by both sexes.

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Criticism of evolutionary perspective: Women generally dont prefer men who have stereotypically

PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS Criticism of evolutionary perspective: Women generally dont prefer men who have stereotypically masculine traits and high levels of resources � Green (1994): Androgynous partners are more attractive than masculine � Ickes (1993): Feminine characteristics are more desirable (prosocial men – willing to help � Societies where women have: Little access to resources: preference for wealthy, welleducated, high status men. Considerable access to resources: no such preference

ATTRACTION II. Relationship factors

ATTRACTION II. Relationship factors

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS 3 factors: � Similarity � Complementarity � Reciprocity

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS 3 factors: � Similarity � Complementarity � Reciprocity

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Similarity � We like people that are similar to ourselves Not just

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Similarity � We like people that are similar to ourselves Not just attractiveness (the matching effect) Demographic characteristics: Age, Race, Religion, Economic backgound. Attitudes, values, interets.

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Why do we like similar people? � People who share important traits

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Why do we like similar people? � People who share important traits and values make us feel good about ourselves � Sharing attitudes reduces the potential for conflict. � Similarity with romantice partner leads to happiness.

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Complementarity „Do opposites attract? “ � Little evidence supporting it. � Felmlee

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Complementarity „Do opposites attract? “ � Little evidence supporting it. � Felmlee (1995): Fatal attraction effect Different qualities in a partner are initially arousing and exciting, later become a source of dissatisfaction.

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Reciprocity �= believing that other person likes us � We all like

RELATIONSHIP FACTORS Reciprocity �= believing that other person likes us � We all like to be liked → we are attracted to those who like us. → greater self-disclosure �X Having someone to grow to like you → stronger feelings of attraction.

ATTRACTION III. Situational factors

ATTRACTION III. Situational factors

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Attraction can be influenced by situational factors such as: � Proximity �

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Attraction can be influenced by situational factors such as: � Proximity � Physiological � Contrast arousal effect

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Proximity � People are attracted to those who live close to them.

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Proximity � People are attracted to those who live close to them. � X also produces hostility (murders) � Most people marry someone who lives close, works at the same job…

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Festinger, Schachter, Back (1950): Propinquity effect � Friendships in a small two-floor

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Festinger, Schachter, Back (1950): Propinquity effect � Friendships in a small two-floor apartment buildings � People assigned appartmnets at random � Name 3 closest friends: 2/3 same building, 2/3 same floor, most common: next door

SITUATIONAL FACTORS 2 reasons: � More meeting = more knowing = more attraction �

SITUATIONAL FACTORS 2 reasons: � More meeting = more knowing = more attraction � Mere exposure phenomenon The more we are exposed to something, the more we like it. (4 girls in class experiment) Application: � marketing + political campaigns

CAN RELATIONSHIPS PERSIST GREAT DISTANCES?

CAN RELATIONSHIPS PERSIST GREAT DISTANCES?

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Physiological � Excitation arousal transfer (Zillman) � Based on Schachters two-factor theory

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Physiological � Excitation arousal transfer (Zillman) � Based on Schachters two-factor theory of emotions

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Excitation � Residual transfer: excitation from one stimulus will amplify the excitatory

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Excitation � Residual transfer: excitation from one stimulus will amplify the excitatory response to another stimulus, though the hedonic valences of the stimuli may differ � Application: ?

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Another example: � Firefighters helping widows after 9/11.

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Another example: � Firefighters helping widows after 9/11.

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Contrast effect: � Evaluation of given object influenced by objects to which

SITUATIONAL FACTORS Contrast effect: � Evaluation of given object influenced by objects to which you are comparing it. � Attractiveness of the people you compare with the potential partner. � Kenrick: Charlie angels/Other show → blind date → rating attractiveness

FURTHER READING http: //thefrenchexit. blogspot. cz/2013/02/so me-notes-on-beauty-part-2. html http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Excitationtransfer_theory http: //libcom.

FURTHER READING http: //thefrenchexit. blogspot. cz/2013/02/so me-notes-on-beauty-part-2. html http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Excitationtransfer_theory http: //libcom. org/library/sex-jealousyviolence-skeptical-look-evolutionarypsychology