Relationship formation, maintenance and dissolution revision
Theory
Evaluation
Formation
EVOLUTIONARY
We form relationships to pass on genes
M: risk of uncertain paternity and cuckoldry, low level of parental investment
F: risk losing M to other F and their resources, high level of parental investment
M look for reproductive value e.g. youth, wide hips
F look for socioeconomic advantages e.g. wealth, kindness
REWARD NEED
We are attracted to people who we find rewarding and form relationships as life alone is unrewarding. Done through:
Direct reinforcement (operant): meeting psych needs e.g. love, friendship etc
Association (classical) associate person with feeling we have when first meeting them
Does not take into account personal preference
Over emphasis on reproduction. Many don’t want kinds
Presumes heterosexuality
Modern day living: step dads(cuckoldry) single parents
Waynforth and Dunbar: 42% US M sought youthful mate compared to 25% F in newspaper
Reductionist
May and Hamilton: 30 F undergrads, rated M photos. More positive comments when pleasant music playing than unpleasant or no music.
Cultural differences: doesn’t take into account collectivist cultures focused on others needs
Hays: we find satisfaction giving as well as receiving
Lacks ecological validity
Maintenance
EQUITY
People strive for (perceived) fairness in relationships
If inequality perceived:
Change amount of effort put in
Change perception of fairness
Partner convinces your perception is wrong
Compare withother relationships
INVESTMENT
Likely hood of relationship to maintained depends on
Satisfaction: if rewards outweigh costs and is acceptable compared to others
Quality of alternative: if better alternative, may be led away from relationship
Investment: anything a partner puts into a relationship e.g. possessions, time
Clark and Mills: exchange couples keep track of rewards and costs whereas communal couples see things balancing out in the long run
Steil and Weltman: in married working
Evaluation
Formation
EVOLUTIONARY
We form relationships to pass on genes
M: risk of uncertain paternity and cuckoldry, low level of parental investment
F: risk losing M to other F and their resources, high level of parental investment
M look for reproductive value e.g. youth, wide hips
F look for socioeconomic advantages e.g. wealth, kindness
REWARD NEED
We are attracted to people who we find rewarding and form relationships as life alone is unrewarding. Done through:
Direct reinforcement (operant): meeting psych needs e.g. love, friendship etc
Association (classical) associate person with feeling we have when first meeting them
Does not take into account personal preference
Over emphasis on reproduction. Many don’t want kinds
Presumes heterosexuality
Modern day living: step dads(cuckoldry) single parents
Waynforth and Dunbar: 42% US M sought youthful mate compared to 25% F in newspaper
Reductionist
May and Hamilton: 30 F undergrads, rated M photos. More positive comments when pleasant music playing than unpleasant or no music.
Cultural differences: doesn’t take into account collectivist cultures focused on others needs
Hays: we find satisfaction giving as well as receiving
Lacks ecological validity
Maintenance
EQUITY
People strive for (perceived) fairness in relationships
If inequality perceived:
Change amount of effort put in
Change perception of fairness
Partner convinces your perception is wrong
Compare withother relationships
INVESTMENT
Likely hood of relationship to maintained depends on
Satisfaction: if rewards outweigh costs and is acceptable compared to others
Quality of alternative: if better alternative, may be led away from relationship
Investment: anything a partner puts into a relationship e.g. possessions, time
Clark and Mills: exchange couples keep track of rewards and costs whereas communal couples see things balancing out in the long run
Steil and Weltman: in married working