Love

1

• Chapter 8
• Love

2
Perspectives on Close Relationships

• Culture and relationships.
• Cultures vary in their emphasis on romantic love
  as a basis for marriage.
• Individualistic cultures tend to fully embrace
  marriage for love as the ultimate expression of
  individualism.
• In collectivist cultures, marriages are more
  likely to be arranged by families.

3
Perspectives on Close Relationships (cont.)

• The Internet and relationships.
• Are internet (virtual) relationships as close as
  face-to-face relationships?
• Research suggests that they are as close and as
  stable as traditional relationships.
• In fact, the anonymity of online interactions may
  facilitate closeness because it reduces the risks
  associated with self-disclosure.
• However, this assumes that the individual is
  presenting an honest persona online.

4
Initial Attraction and Relationship Development

• Three factors underlie initial attraction between
  strangers
• Proximity we are more likely to become involved
  with people we are geographically, or spatially,
  close to.
• Familiarity the mere exposure effect states
  that positive feelings toward a person are
  increased the more often we see them.

5

• Three factors underlie initial attraction between
  strangers (cont.)
• Physical Attractiveness
• This factor plays a key role in face-to-face
  romantic relationships as well as friendships.
• However, cross-cultural research suggests it is
  not the most important factor, for both males and
  females.

6
Resource Exchange theory

• David Buss (1988) believes mating patterns depend
  on what each sex has to invest in terms of
  survival.
• For men, reproductive opportunities are the most
  important, so they show more interest in sexual
  activity and physical attractiveness.
• Parental investment theory (see Figure 8.4)
  states women choose mates that will supply
  resources needed to support offspring for many
  years.

7
Figure 8.4
8
Getting acquainted

• 3 factors affect viability of relationships
• Reciprocal liking if we believe someone likes
  us, we will like them in return.
• Similarity we are drawn to those with similar
  qualities.
• This is true in friendships and romantic
  relationships, regardless of sexual orientation.
• Similar attitudes play a key role.

9

• 3 factors (cont.)
• Desirable personality characteristics.
• For future spouses or life partners, personal
  qualities are more important than physical
  traits.
• Most desirable personality traits were warmth,
  good sense of humor, and social assertiveness.

10

• Relationship satisfaction and commitment.
• What determines whether you will stay in the
  relationship or get out?
• Interdependence or social exchange theory states
  that the decision is based on a cost-benefit
  analysis of the relationships outcome. If the
  rewards outweigh the costs, we stay.

11

• Interdependence theory.
• Relationship satisfaction is gauged by our
  comparison level personal standard of what
  constitutes an acceptable balance of rewards and
  costs.
• It is based on outcomes experienced in previous
  relationships and on outcomes seen in other
  peoples relationships.

12
Interdependence theory

• Relationship commitment is determined by two
  factors
• The comparison level for alternatives, or our
  estimation of the available outcomes from
  alternative relationships.
• We tend to stay in unsatisfying relationships
  until a better one comes along.

13
Relationship commitment is determined by two
factors (cont.)

• The investments, or things that people
  contribute to a relationship that they cant get
  back if the relationship ends.
• Thus, putting investments into a relationship
  strengthens our commitment to it.