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Human relationships:Interpersonal relationships
D. S. Junglas
Origins of Attraction
Sternberg’s triangular theory of love (https://nathensmiraculousescape.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/)lovetri.jpg)
Biological level of analysis
Evolutionary theories – attraction to procreate E.g. Animal kingdom
Hormones change as a relationship progressesPassionate love to intimate relationship
Evolutionary explanations Biochemistry doesn’t explain origins of attraction but
rather the process
HormonesOxytocin
Released in men & women (e.g. through touching) Feelings of attachment increase
Vasopressin More present in males Long-term commitment
Image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Vasopressin_labeled.png/220px-Vasopressin_labeled.png
Image source: http://56ab8f3ba9bdd574fe36-43c4012dcbf8f9f0863b6d682e183a2e.r94.cf1.rackcdn.com/2012/08/under-the-molecule-oxytocin-banner.jpg
The dirty shirt study(Wedekind 1995)
Body odor affecting amount of attraction Genes related to immune system (MHC) for mate
choosingMHC – Major histocompatability complex
Analysed 49 women, 44 men Range of MHC genes
Procedure & results
Men given clean shirt and to wear for next two nights Instructed to avoid scented
aftershaves, soap, etc. Shirts packed away with a
sniffing hole
Women returned when at midpoint of menstrual cycle (peaked sense of smell) Presented with boxes –
some with similar MHC scents, dissimilar and control shirts
Women asked to rate scent (pleasant – unpleasant)
Image source: http://feromonio.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/camisas-feromonios.jpg
Women preferred scent of shirt from men with dissimilar MHC Reversed if
taking oral contraceptives
Cognitive level of analysis
Perception and social cognition People perceive someone similar to themselves as
attractive
More attracted to people similar to ourselvesE.g. personality, social class, religion, attitudes,
intelligence, cultural background
Shared interests
Attraction-similarity model Perceptions of relationship
The role of self-esteem in relationship formation (Kiesler and Baral 1970)
Self-esteem affecting partner selection
Self perception through similar partner choice
Procedure & results
Group of men answered IQ test Given fictitious scores
Two groups Group 1 – told they achieved
high scores Group 2 – told they achieved
low scores
Men told to repeat test in near future While in waiting room,
attractive female enters
Willingness to engage with her was recorded
Men with high scores engaged with women in waiting room fasterSelf-esteem boost
from receiving the test results
Sociocultural level of analysis
Social and cultural norms are important to consider when determining who becomes partners
Contact and interaction is important to consider when determining attraction Positive interaction – positive attraction
Culture norms – formation and maintenance of relationships
Buss (1994)
Cross-cultural study Relationships questionnaire – mate selection
Over 10,000 responses received 37 cultures in total
Similarities 36/37 – women preferred financial prospects higher
than males did37/37 – men preferred younger partners, women
preferred older partners
DifferencesDifferent rankings of importance of love in a relationship
USA – Love = 1st
Iran – Love = 3rd
Nigeria – Love = 4th
China – Love = 6th
South Africa (Zulu) – Love = 7th