Compact notes for Human Relationship

• What factors contribute to the formation of personal relationships?

  Biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors
• What are the three major explanations for the formation of personal relationships?

  • Evolutionary theory
  • Similarity hypothesis
  • Cultural norms
• What does evolutionary psychology suggest about human attraction?

  It is based on mechanisms that increase reproductive success
• What is natural selection in the context of evolutionary theory?

  Favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction
• What does parental investment theory explain?

  Differences in reproductive investment affect mating strategies
• What was the aim of Clark and Hatfield's study in 1989?

  Investigate gender differences in casual sexual offers
• What procedure did Clark and Hatfield use in their study?

  • Male and female confederates approached strangers
  • Asked three questions about dating, visiting an apartment, and casual sex
• What percentage of men agreed to go to an apartment in Clark and Hatfield's study?

  69%
• What percentage of women agreed to casual sex in Clark and Hatfield's study?

  0%
• What conclusion did Clark and Hatfield reach regarding men and women?

  Men are more open to casual sex than women
• What was the aim of Wedekind's study in 1995?

  Investigate MHC genes' influence on mate selection
• What procedure did Wedekind use in his study?

  • 44 male students wore the same t-shirt
  • 49 female students smelled the shirts and rated attractiveness
• What preference did women show in Wedekind's study?

  Preferred scents of men with different MHC genes
• What conclusion did Wedekind draw about MHC genes?

  They help avoid inbreeding and increase immunity
• What are the strengths and limitations of evolutionary theory in explaining attraction?

  Strengths:

  • Supported by empirical evidence
  • Explains universal patterns in attraction
  • Consistent with other species’ behaviors

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Reductionist, ignores cognitive factors
  • Cannot explain non-reproductive relationships
  • Ethical concerns in studies
• What does the similarity hypothesis suggest?

  Individuals are attracted to those with similar traits
• What was the aim of Markey & Markey's study in 2007?

  Investigate similarity in partner preferences
• What procedure did Markey & Markey use in their study?

  • 169 single undergraduate students participated
  • Questionnaires about ideal partners and self-descriptions
• What correlation did Markey & Markey find in their study?

  Strong correlation between self-descriptions and ideal partner descriptions
• What conclusion did Markey & Markey reach about partner preferences?

  People prefer partners similar to themselves
• What are the strengths and limitations of Markey & Markey's study?

  Strengths:

  • Large sample size enhances reliability
  • Provides empirical support for similarity hypothesis

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Hypothetical scenario lacks ecological validity
  • Self-report bias may affect accuracy
• What was the aim of the follow-up study by Markey & Markey in 2007?

  Validate findings using real couples
• What procedure did the follow-up study by Markey & Markey use?

  • 106 heterosexual couples in year-long relationships
  • Questionnaires assessing self and partner personality traits
• What did the follow-up study find about couples' personality traits?

  Couples showed significant similarity in traits
• What conclusion did the follow-up study reach regarding harmony in couples?

  Harmony was highest with shared personality traits
• What are the strengths and limitations of the follow-up study by Markey & Markey?

  Strengths:

  • Real-life couples enhance ecological validity
  • Confirmed findings from hypothetical study

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Sampling bias limits generalizability
  • Correlational design cannot confirm causation
• What does the evaluation of the similarity hypothesis highlight?

  Empirical support and long-term relationship satisfaction
• What does the sociocultural explanation focus on in relationships?

  Cultural values and socialization influences
• How do individualistic and collectivistic cultures differ in relationship formation?

  • Individualistic: Prioritize love and happiness
  • Collectivistic: Prioritize family expectations and harmony
• What was the aim of Levine et al.'s study in 1995?

  Investigate cross-cultural differences in love's importance
• What procedure did Levine et al. use in their study?

  • Surveyed approximately 1,100 college students from 11 countries
  • Used a questionnaire with three key questions about love and marriage
• What did Levine et al. find about individualistic cultures regarding love?

  Rated love as more critical for marriage formation
• What conclusion did Levine et al. reach about love's importance globally?

  Less pronounced for marriage maintenance worldwide
• What are the strengths and limitations of Levine et al.'s study?

  Strengths:

  • First cross-cultural comparison of love's role
  • Standardized methods enhance reliability

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Correlational design cannot establish causation
  • Sampling bias limits generalizability
• What was the aim of Gupta & Singh's study in 1982?

  Compare marital satisfaction in arranged and love marriages
• What procedure did Gupta & Singh use in their study?

  • Surveyed couples in arranged or love marriages
• What did Gupta & Singh find about love marriages over time?

  Started with higher satisfaction but declined
• What conclusion did Gupta & Singh reach regarding arranged marriages?

  Had lower initial satisfaction but increased over time
• What are the strengths and limitations of Gupta & Singh's study?

  Strengths:

  • Longitudinal design provides insights over time
  • Cross-cultural contribution challenges Western views

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Cultural specificity limits generalizability
  • Self-report bias risks social desirability effects
• What are the strengths and limitations of cultural norms in relationships?

  Strengths:

  • Accounts for cross-cultural differences
  • Explains variations in relationship longevity

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Surveys may be biased
  • Cultural changes challenge traditional norms