relationships

• What is Darwin's theory of sexual selection?

  It explains partner preference based on characteristics that increase attractiveness in human reproductive behavior.
• How does sexual selection differ from natural selection?

  Sexual selection considers traits that may be disadvantageous but increase attractiveness, while natural selection focuses on survival advantages.
• What are the two parts of sexual selection?

  • INTER-selection: Desirable qualities sought by each gender, often referred to as 'female choice.'
  • INTRA-selection: Competition among the same sex for access to the opposite sex.
• What is INTER-selection in sexual selection?

  It refers to the desirable qualities that each gender looks for in a mate, often emphasizing female choice.
• Why do females tend to be more selective in choosing a partner?

  Females invest more time, energy, and resources in raising their children, making them more careful in partner selection.
• What does INTRA-selection involve?

  It involves competition among members of the same sex for access to members of the opposite sex.
• How does INTRA-selection support male reproductive strategies?

  It leads to males competing for mates, often resulting in males prioritizing quantity over quality in mating.
• What is anisogamy?

  Anisogamy refers to the differences between male and female gametes, such as males being fertile daily while females have limited fertility periods.
• What is an alpha bias in the context of mate preference?

  Alpha bias refers to the exaggeration of differences between males and females in what they look for in a partner.
• How do social and cultural influences limit evolutionary explanations of mate preference?

  They show that partner preferences can change over time due to social norms and cultural practices, which cannot be explained solely by evolution.
• What did Palmer and Peterson (2012) demonstrate about the halo effect?

  They found that attractive people were rated higher in perceived competence and knowledge compared to unattractive individuals.
• According to McNulty et al., how does physical attraction affect romantic partnerships over time?

  Physical attraction remains an important feature of romantic partnerships for several years, even after marriage.
• What did Buss' research reveal about men's preferences in partner selection?

  Buss found that men place great importance on physical attractiveness as it is an important cue to a woman's health and reproductive value.
• How do women's preferences for physical attractiveness differ in short-term versus long-term relationships?

  Women may rely on physical attractiveness for short-term relationships, but it is less important in more serious, long-term relationships.
• What is the Matching Hypothesis in romantic relationships?

  • Individuals seek partners whose social desirability is similar to their own.
  • This maximizes chances of a successful romantic outcome.
• What did Walster and Walster claim about partner selection?


  They claimed that individuals assess their own value and seek partners of similar social desirability to maximize relationship success.
• What did Towhey (1979) find regarding individual differences in physical attractiveness?

  Towhey found that physical attractiveness was more important for participants with sexist attitudes, indicating variability in its significance.
• What is a limitation of the Matching Hypothesis regarding long-term relationships?

  It suggests that people focus more on similarity of values rather than physical attractiveness in long-term relationships.
• How does the Matching Hypothesis fail to account for certain relationship dynamics?

  It ignores that individuals may compensate for lack of physical attractiveness with other qualities, such as intellect or sociability.
• What is self-disclosure in romantic relationships?

  • Gradual revealing of personal information.
  • Leads to greater intimacy and satisfaction in relationships.
• What does Social Penetration Theory propose about self-disclosure?

  It claims that self-disclosure leads to greater understanding and trust in romantic relationships.
• What are the two dimensions of self-disclosure in Social Penetration Theory?

  Breadth and depth, where breadth refers to sharing many topics and depth refers to sharing intimate details.
• How does the onion metaphor relate to self-disclosure?

  It illustrates how individuals share superficial information first (breadth) and gradually reveal deeper, more personal information (depth).
• What is a limitation of Social Penetration Theory?

  It does not account for cultural practices and personality factors that influence relationship satisfaction.
• How does Social Penetration Theory demonstrate cultural bias?

  It was developed based on research in Western cultures, which may not apply to collectivist cultures where self-disclosure norms differ.
• What are the three levels of filters in the Filter Theory of relationship development?

  1. Social demography: physical proximity, education, social class, religion.
  2. Similarity in attitudes: shared core beliefs and values.
  3. Complementarity: partners fulfilling each other's needs.
• Why is social demography important in relationship formation?

  It increases the likelihood of building relationships with those who are geographically close and share similar characteristics.
• How does similarity in attitudes affect attraction?

  People find others more attractive if they share the same core beliefs and values.
• What is complementarity in the context of long-term relationships?

  It refers to partners having traits that the other lacks, helping each other fulfill their needs.
• What is a limitation of the Filter Theory regarding cultural differences?

  It assumes that partner choice criteria in individualist cultures apply universally, ignoring arranged relationships in collectivist cultures.
• How does the Filter Theory's reductionist approach limit its applicability?

  It oversimplifies the complexity of romantic relationships by relying solely on a series of filters.
• What does Social Exchange Theory (SET) describe about romantic relationships?

  • Relationships are based on the economic concepts of profit (rewards) and loss (costs).
  • Partners strive to maximize rewards and minimize costs.
• What are the two levels of comparison in Social Exchange Theory?

  Comparison Level (CL) assesses expected rewards based on self-esteem, while Comparison Level for alternatives evaluates potential rewards from other relationships.
• How does SET apply to Integrated Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT)?

  IBCT aims to increase positive exchanges and decrease negative ones in relationships, demonstrating SET's real-world application.
• What is a limitation of the research supporting Social Exchange Theory?

  Much of the research lacks mundane realism, as it often involves artificial scenarios rather than real-life romantic relationships.
• What is the definition of "equity" in the context of relationships?

  • Equity refers to the fair distribution of rewards and costs between partners.
  • It impacts relationship satisfaction.
• How is an equitable relationship defined according to Equity Theory?

  An equitable relationship is one where the benefits minus costs for one partner equals the benefits minus costs for the other partner.
• What are the three ways to restore equity in a relationship according to Hatfield and Rapson?

  1. Restoration of actual equity, 2. Restoration of psychological equity, 3. Leaving the relationship.
• What is a limitation of Equity Theory regarding cultural differences?

  Equity leads to satisfaction in individualist cultures, while overbenefitting leads to satisfaction in collectivist cultures, indicating it is not universal.
• What did Berg and McQuinn (1986) find regarding Equity Theory?


  They found no increase in equity over time in their longitudinal study of dating couples.