Psychology: Relationships

• What does sexual selection explain in terms of characteristics passed on to offspring?


  It explains why seemingly disadvantageous characteristics may be advantageous for sexual selection.
• What is the term used to describe the differences between male and female gametes?

  Anisogamy
• What are the two types of sexual selection?

  Intra-sexual selection and inter-sexual selection
• Why do females prefer inter-sexual selection strategies?


  Because they invest more energy into the development of ova and have limited reproductive resources.
• What does Fisher’s ‘sexy sons hypothesis’ suggest?


  That females choosing attractive males will have attractive offspring who can attract mates.
• What is the main strategy of intra-sexual selection?


  To impregnate as many women as possible to ensure gene survival.
• What are some examples of intra-sexual selection strategies?


  Males behaving aggressively and being protective of their female.
• What does dimorphism refer to in the context of sexual selection?


  The physical differences between male and female sexes.
• What approach do Chang et al (2011) suggest regarding reproductive patterns?


  An interactionist approach combining culture and evolution.
• How has the emphasis on resource availability in mate selection changed for women?


  Women no longer place a large emphasis on resource availability due to financial independence.
• What does a hip to waist ratio of around 0.7 indicate?


  It indicates that a female is fertile and able to carry children.
• What did Clark and Hatfield (1989) find regarding sexual selection pressures?


  Females are more selective due to their greater energy and genetic input into pregnancy.
• What is self-disclosure in the context of romantic relationships?


  It refers to the information we choose to reveal about ourselves.
• What is the aim of self-disclosure in relationships?


  To increase intimacy, understanding, and empathy between individuals.
• What does Altman and Taylor's ‘social penetration’ theory suggest?


  Self-disclosure allows one person to penetrate deeper into their partner's life, increasing intimacy.
• How does the onion analogy relate to self-disclosure?


  It illustrates that deeper layers of information are revealed as the relationship progresses.
• What are the two elements of the social penetration theory proposed by Reis and Shaver (1988)?


  Depth and breadth of self-disclosure.
• What is the key to maintaining an intimate relationship according to social penetration theory?


  A balance between depth and breadth of self-disclosure.
• What did Hass and Stafford (1998) find regarding self-disclosure in relationships?


  57% of couples with high intimacy reported using self-disclosure to maintain it.
• What is a key methodological issue with correlational studies in relationship research?


  Causal conclusions cannot be made from correlational studies.
• What did Laurenceau et al (2005) find regarding self-disclosure and relationship quality?


  High levels of intimacy and trust were strongly associated with high levels of self-disclosure.
• What physical traits are we predisposed to find attractive from an evolutionary perspective?


  Females with neotenous faces and facial symmetry.
• What does the halo effect suggest about attractive people?


  We associate them with disproportionately positive characteristics.
• What is the Matching Hypothesis in relation to attraction?


  It suggests that we are more likely to have a mate of similar attractiveness to ourselves.
• What did McNully et al (2008) find regarding physical attractiveness in relationships?


  Physical attractiveness remains important even after marriage.
• How does Towhey (1979) suggest physical attractiveness varies in importance?


  It varies depending on the individual's underlying beliefs about others.
• What did Cunningham et al (1995) find regarding physical attractiveness across cultures?


  Similar features are found attractive in both individualist and collectivist cultures.
• What did Palmer and Peterson (2012) find regarding the halo effect in political perceptions?


  Participants judged attractive people as politically skilled despite their actual knowledge.
• What is the filter theory of attraction proposed by Kerckhoff and Davis (1962)?


  It describes how we narrow down potential partners using three filters.
• What are the three filters in the filter theory of attraction?


  Social demography, similarity in attitudes, and complementarity.
• How does proximity influence attraction according to the filter theory?


  Proximity provides accessibility, making communication and relationship formation easier.
• Why is similarity in attitudes important in short-term relationships?


  Large dissimilarities may cause the relationship to end due to incompatibility.
• What does complementarity refer to in the context of long-term relationships?


  It refers to partners feeling that they complete each other to form a whole.
• What is the first filter in the filter theory of relationship formation?


  Proximity
• Why is proximity considered key in relationship formation?


  It provides accessibility, making communication and relationship formation easier.
• How does proximity affect dissimilarities in social demographic features?


  Close proximity may 'trump' dissimilarities in social demographic features.
• What is the second filter in the filter theory?


  Similarity in attitudes
• Why is similarity in attitudes important in short-term relationships?


  Large dissimilarities in attitudes may cause the relationship to end due to incompatibility.
• What is the third filter in the filter theory?


  Complementarity
• How does complementarity contribute to relationship success?


  It helps partners feel that they 'complete' each other, supporting the belief that opposites attract.