Carroll Chapter 7 Love & Attraction

Attraction Physical attraction key component –Universals Clean skin, teeth, hair, muscle tone, steady gate –Vast cultural differences –Slender in US v. plumpness in preliterate societies –Central Africa: long necks, round lips –Gender & individual differences Women like tall men Men like short, slender women w/ large breasts Preferences developed via unique learning histories

Attraction Gender-roles key –Feminine women attracted to masculine, dominant men –Masculine men prefer demure women Names key –Kathy, Jennifer > Gertrude, Ethel Why?

Pheromones Hormones which evoke instinctual behavior –Male dogs R to bitch in heat May be important for humans as well –New research suggests smells impact sexuality Vomero Nasal Organ

Attraction Long-term relationships –Honesty, fidelity, warmth, emotional stability –Gender differences Men emphasize physical appearance > than women Women emphasize resource acquisition (status) –Evolutionary v. social/cultural explanations

Attraction Matching hypothesis –Attracted to partner of similar attractiveness –More than beauty Race, age, SES, religion What about attitudes? Do opposites attract? –Similarity in attitudes -> attraction –Only for key attitude objects/domains –Why?

Attraction Evolutionary theory - similar others more likely to share our genes –Like, protect our own genes Consensual validation - consensus is pleasant –Confirms our view of the world

Love Emotion –What is emotion?

Nature of Emotions Multidimensional, adaptive response system –Physiological (ANS, limbic system) –Conscious (valence + arousal) –Behavioral (coping) –Cognitive (appraisals) Synchronized emotional system –Patterning different for different emotions Anger: ANS, Negative valence and high arousal, move against, unjustified loss

Love Emotion characterized by –1.) Physiological arousal (ANS) Hypothalamus, endorphins, phenylethylamine(PEA), testosterone, dopamine, serotonin –2.) Positive valence + high arousal –3.) Approach behavior Intense longing for union, closeness & intimacy –4.) Positive, idealized evaluations, appraisals –5.) Attachment, bond to love object

Love Ubiquitous in ~all cultures –~All Janus Ps reported love is important –Most will be in love during their lifetime (Class: 85% yes) –Love key for marriage and > 90% marry Culture influences meaning, display rules –Western world idealizes love, for marriage –Eastern cultures love less critical for marriage Arranged marriages

Contemporary Models of Love Sternberg’s triangular theory of love –Intimacy Experience of warmth toward another person –Passion Intense romantic or sexual desire for another person –Commitment Dedication to the relationship Types of love depend on balance of these 3

Sternberg Triangular Theory Intimacy Passion Commitment Consummate Love

Conclusion Attraction influenced by physical appearance as well as host of other factors –Gender, culture Love is an emotion that likely evolved to aid child-care –Cultural meanings, and models differ in their emphasis