Social Psychology

Interpersonal Attraction &

Relationships

Affiliation: Early Attachment

Attachment – relationship with caregiverTwo way processSecurity & information for infant

1. Secure parent available & responsive

2. Avoidant parent unresponsive & rejecting

3. Anxious-AmbivalentParent is anxious & inconsistent

Lab Affiliation for Fear Reduction Fear reduction (Schachter, 1959)

Women invited to lab Told they would receive shocks High Fear vs. Low Fear

Why Affiliate When Afraid? Distraction hypothesis

Affiliate to take mind off problems Anyone will do

Social comparison theory Want to compare feelings with others Others in similar situation are best

Social comparison appears to be more important Women wanted to wait with others anticipating shock Patients prefer someone who has had surgery than

those anticipating it

What do Relationships do for us? Attachment – security & comfort Social integration – shared interests &

attitudes Reassurance of worth – support as

competent and valued Sense of reliable alliance - help Guidance – advice and information Opportunity for nurturance – responsible

for other, feel needed

Principles of Attraction

AssociationBackground music

ReinforcementFlattery vs. critical

Social exchangeCost benefit analysis

Who do we like?

Anderson (1968) – 555 adjectivesSincere vs. phony

Warmth Competence Physical Attractiveness

Similarity

“Birds of a feather flock together” Newcomb – college students Phantom-other technique Type of similarity matters Matching principle

Why do we like similarity?

Rewarding Everybody agrees Share interests

Cognitive dissonance Seek balanced attitudes Seek those who give balance

Seek abstract ideals Deal with reality

Where does it come from?

Selective attractionScreening

Social influencePersuade each other

Environmental factorsPick similar situations

When we don’t like similarity

Similarity as threatPhantom-other techniqueEmotionally disturbed or normal

Differences rewardingNo clonesRequires safetyAllows experts

Why is proximity important?

Familiarity Similarity Availability Cognitive Consistency

Love & Liking

Is love intense liking? Which reflect love and which reflect liking

IdealizationTrustSharing emotionsBelieving someone is intelligentTolerating other’s faults

Thoughts of Love

AttachmentDependence on other

CaringPromote other’s welfareResponsive to other’s needs

TrustSelf disclosure

The Power of Thought

Secret relationships

Defying expectations

Behaviors of Love Saying “I love you” and verbal affection Physical expressions of love (hugging) Verbal self-disclosure Communicating nonverbally Material signs of love (presents) Nonmaterial love (interest, respect) Willingness to tolerate other and sacrifice

for relationship

Feelings of Love

How do people feel when in love?Sense of well being (79%)Trouble concentrating (37%)Floating on a cloud (29%)Wanting to run, jump, scream (22%)Feeling nervous before dates (22%)Feeling giddy and carefree (20%)

Loneliness

Loneliness: subjective discomfort Aloneness: objective state ¼ people lonely in last two weeks Situational vs. Chronic Emotional vs. Social

Who becomes lonely?

Childhood experiences Marriage Wealth Age Personality

Introverted/ shyMore self consciousLess assertive