RELATIONSHIP FORMATIONRecap Match Hypothesis & Filter TheoryExplain Reward/Need Satisfaction Model

According to Match Hypothesis…Which ones are likely to work?

Extra A02 for Matching Hyp… ◦McKillip & Riedel (1993)

◦Pairs of friends also tend to be equally matched in terms of physical attraction

According to Filter Model…◦Jack and Rose were from different parts of London

and from different socio-economic status groups. They formed a relationship whilst aboard a cruise

ship to New York. They both shared the same values of living life outside of the restraints of

high/low status groupings. If Jack survived, do you think their relationship would have lasted? How

did you come to that conclusion?

Filter Model◦1. Social/Demographic

◦2. Attitudes & Values

◦3. Complimentary Emotional Needs

Relationship Formation… ◦1. Matching Hypothesis

◦2. Filter Model

◦3. The Reward/Need Satisfaction Model

Reward/Need Satisfaction Model◦How do we move on from Physical Attractiveness alone?

Reward/Need Satisfaction Model◦Byrne & Clore (1970)

◦We form relationships b/c we find them rewarding

◦Partners reward us both and directly (via Operant Conditioning) and indirectly (via Classical)

Operant Conditioning◦‘Learning through the consequences of behaviour’

Explaining Monica and Chandler

Direct rewards, through operant conditioning…

Liking through association, through classical conditioning…

Operant Conditioning – Direct Reinforcement◦If we feel down and someone helps us escape that mood, they are providing negative reinforcement

◦(increasing likelihood of attraction)

◦Relationships can be Positively Reinforcing by satisfying our ‘needs’

Argyle (1994) List of ‘Needs’◦B – Biological : Collective Eating◦A – Affiliation : Seeking Approval from others◦D – Dependency : Comforted or nurtured◦D – Dominance: Assertive to others◦A – Aggression : Dominance◦S – Self Esteem : Being Valued by others◦S – Sex : Being Desired

Rewards◦Relationships become rewarding when they meet our needs…

◦Rusbult & Van Lange (1979)◦‘Initially, people who don’t know each other too well, will exchange rewards equally, “Exchange Relationships”. ◦Over time, rewards become less reciprocal and are given without expectation of return… “Communal Relationships” ‘

Rewards are given with the sole desire to please the partner

Self-Disclosure

◦Intimacy develops through self-disclosure as people gradually reveal more information about themselves.

◦This can be positively reinforcing as it implies trust and is often reciprocal

◦This may explain how relationships form and move on from friendship

Classical Conditioning…◦Liking through association:

◦Pleasant emotions experienced when in the presence of a someone else increases likability of that person

◦Association of pleasantness to somebody present

◦Holidays◦Weddings

May & Hamilton (1980)◦Showed pps photographs of male strangers

◦Photos shown either when whilst pleasant or unpleasant music was being played

◦Pps asked how attractive they think the man is…

May & Hamilton (1980)◦Results showed that pps in the pleasant music condition rated the stranger significantly more attractive than controls and those in the unpleasant music condition

◦ supports possibility of relationship formation as a result of association with pleasant emotions.