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