CHS AP Psychology Unit 14: Social Pyschology Essential Task 14.3: Predict the impact of others on individual behavior with specific attention to attraction.

What Makes Us Attractive to Others? Personal Ads Activity

Interpersonal Attraction Attraction is closely linked to 1.Proximity 2.Physical attractiveness 3.Similarity 4.Exchange 5.Intimacy

Psychology of Attraction 1.Proximity: Geographic nearness is a powerful predictor of friendship. a) Repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases their attraction (mere exposure effect). A rare white penguin born in a zoo was accepted after 3 weeks by other penguins just due to proximity. Rex USA

Psychology of Attraction 2.Physical Attractiveness: Once proximity affords contact, the next most important thing in attraction is physical appearance. Couples randomly paired at “computer dance” Assessed personality, aptitude, physical attractiveness Results: Only physical attractiveness predicted liking and wanting to see the person again. (True for men and women.)

Physical attractiveness Are people biased towards children who are deemed attractive? Study: Explanation of poor behavior paired with a photo of a “unattractive” child and an “attractive” child. The behavior was deemed less poor when the child was attractive.

Is attractiveness objective? Arguments for Objective Standard High consensus across countries, race/ethnicities –Agree on attractiveness of faces and body types (F: hourglass; M: v-shaped) Particular features are associated with attractiveness –F: large eyes, prominent cheekbones, small nose, wide smile –M: broad jaw, large eyes, prominent cheekbones, wide smile Babies look longer at faces rated as attractive by adults. (less likely to be affected by cultural standards

Is attractiveness subjective? Arguments for Subjective Standard Cross-cultural differences in ways to look beautiful –Face painting, plastic surgery, scarring, piercings, etc. –Variations in preference for female body size

Subjective? Standards of beauty within a culture change over time –Marilyn Monroe versus Taylor Swift

Attractiveness Standards Probably both universal and variable components of attractiveness Overall, physical attractiveness predicts more positive evaluations (true in childhood and later in life)

Psychology of Attraction 3.Similarity: Similar views among individuals causes the bond of attraction to strengthen.  Finding others who agree with us strengthens our convictions and boosts our self-esteem  Opposites don’t attract – they don’t even meet  Complementary Traits – you complete me

Matching in physical attractiveness People tend to pair with partners who are about as physically attractive as they are. Predicts success of relationship (more similar in attractiveness, more likely to stay together) However, women who marry less attractive men are shown to rate their marriage as more satisfying.

Psychology of Attraction 4. Exchange: The give and take of a relationship. Social Exchange theory explains how we feel about a relationship with another person as depending on our perceptions of: –The balance between what we put into the relationship and what we get out of it. –The kind of relationship we deserve. –Contrast Effect – seeing something ‘better’ makes us temporarily devalue what we’ve got

Psychology of Attraction 5. Intimacy: closeness and trust achieved through communication Must be mutual Can’t be too much too soon

Bystander Effect Tendency of any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.

Bystander Intervention The decision-making process for bystander intervention. Akos Szilvasi/ Stock, Boston

The Norms for Helping Social Exchange Theory: Our social behavior is an exchange process. The aim is to maximize benefits and minimize costs.  Reciprocity Norm: The expectation that we should return help and not harm those who have helped us.  Social–Responsibility Norm: Largely learned, it is a norm that tells us to help others when they need us even though they may not repay us.

Altruism: Altruism is the unselfish behaviors or actions done for someone else. –Example: if you volunteer at a nursing home, you are helping someone else without receiving any benefits.

Altruism Equity: A condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give. Self-Disclosure: Revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others.

Conflict Conflict is perceived as an incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas. A Social Trap is a situation in which the conflicting parties, by each rationally pursuing their self-interest, become caught in mutually destructive behavior.

Superordinate Goals are shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation. Peacemaking Communication and understanding developed through talking to one another. Sometimes it is mediated by a third party.

Graduated & Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction (GRIT): This is a strategy designed to decrease international tensions. One side recognizes mutual interests and initiates a small conciliatory act that opens the door for reciprocation by the other party. Peacemaking