1. PSYCHOLOGY (9th Edition) David Myers
PowerPoint Slides
Aneeq Ahmad
Henderson State University
Worth Publishers, © 2010

2. Prosocial Relations
Attraction
Altruism
Conflict and Peacemaking

3. The Psychology of Attraction
Proximity: Geographic nearness is a powerful predictor of friendship. Repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases their attraction (mere exposure effect).
Preview Question 1: Why do we befriend or fall in love with some people but not with others?
A rare white penguin born in a zoo was accepted after 3 weeks by other penguins just due to proximity.
Rex USA

4. Psychology of Attraction
2. Physical Attractiveness: Once proximity affords contact, the next most important thing in attraction is physical appearance.
Brooks Kraft/ Corbis
Brooks Kraft/ Corbis

5. Psychology of Attraction
3. Similarity: Similar views among individuals causes the bond of attraction to strengthen.
Similarity breeds content!

6. Two-factor theory of emotion
Romantic Love
Passionate Love: An aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship.
Two-factor theory of emotion
Physical arousal plus cognitive appraisal
Arousal from any source can enhance one emotion depending upon what we interpret or label the arousal
Preview Question 2: How does romantic love typically change as time passes?

7. Romantic Love
Companionate Love: A deep, affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined.
Courtship and Matrimony (from the collection of Werner Nekes)

8. Altruism An unselfish regard for the welfare of others.
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.
Preview Question 3: When are we most—and least—likely to help?

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

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

11. Conflict
Conflict is perceived as an incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas.
The elements of conflict are the same at all levels. People become deeply involved in potentially destructive social processes that have undesirable effects.
Preview Question 4: How do social traps and mirror-image perceptions fuel social conflict?

12. People in conflict form diabolical images of one another.
Enemy Perceptions
People in conflict form diabolical images of one another.
George Bush
“Evil”
Saddam Hussein
“Wicked Pharaoh”

13. Syracuse Newspapers/ The Image Works
Cooperation
Superordinate Goals are shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation.
Syracuse Newspapers/ The Image Works
Preview Question 5: How can we transform feelings of prejudice, aggression, and conflict into attitudes that promote peace?
Communication and understanding developed through talking to one another. Sometimes it is mediated by a third party.

14. Communication
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.