1. Power Point Presentation for
Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity 9th edition Spencer A. Rathus, Jeffrey S. Nevid, & Lois Fichner-Rathus
Prepared by James Patrick Dolan, Jr, Ph.D.
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2. Attraction and Love – Binding Forces
Chapter 7

3. Learning Objectives Physical Attractiveness
The Attraction-Similarity Hypothesis
Love
Romantic Love
Contemporary Models of Love

4. Physical Attractiveness
Some researchers contend physical attractiveness is a key factor when considering a potential romantic or sexual partner
Attraction
Forces and factors that draw people together

5. Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?
Cultural standards for physical attractiveness exist
Can lead to taking measures to meet cultural expectations
E. g., “Thin is in” can lead to eating disorder
Men prefer women to be somewhat heavier than women believe
Women prefer men to be somewhat leaner than men believe
Study of lesbian and bisexual women
Prefer heavier women than men
Reject excessive slenderness as attractive

6. Physical Attractiveness
Nonphysical traits
Perceived beauty may be enhanced by such traits as familiarity, liking, respect, and sharing of values and goals
Some facial features associated with beauty appear to be the same across cultures
E.g., studies suggest that large eyes are an attractive feature in females

7. Physical Attractiveness
Gender-role expectations affect perceptions of physical attractiveness
People who act consistent with gender-role expectations typically are viewed as more attractive
People’s names affect perceptions of attractiveness
Matthew vs. Sylvester
Christine vs. Gertrude

8. Physical Attractiveness
Physical attractiveness is not the most important quality sought for long term
Women seek partners with
Intelligence, stability, vocation status, earning potential, expressiveness, kindness, consideration, dependability, fondness for children
Men seek partners with
Youth, attractiveness, cooking ability, frugality
Physical attraction most important for sexual relationship

9. Evolutionary Perspective
Certain traits provide reproductive advantages
Women are valued for reproductive potential
Youth and physical attraction may be markers
Men are valued as providers
Factors such as reliability, income indicate stability
Perspective does not fit all the data
Cultural factors influence as well

10. Critical Thinking
Do your own preferences in a romantic partner appear to support or contradict evolutionary theory? Explain.

11. Attraction-Similarity Hypothesis
The view that people tend to develop romantic relationships with people who are similar to themselves in factors such as physical attractiveness, cultural background, personality traits, and interests
Exceptions occur when lack of attractiveness is compensated for by other factors
Matching can apply to similarity in ethnicity, age, educational level, and religion

12. Who Is Right for You?
Attitudes: Do “Opposites Attract” or Do “Birds of a Feather Flock Together”?
Similarity in attitudes is important to attraction
Propinquity (nearness) – we tend to live near those who are similar to us in many ways
Similarity is more important to women than to men

13. Who Is Right for You? Reciprocity
Mutual exchange of feelings and behaviors
Potent determinant of attraction
Reciprocating positive words or actions can stoke mild feelings into strong feelings of attraction

14. Love Ancient Greeks Storge Agape Philia Eros
Loving attachment, deep friendship, non-sexual
Ancient Greeks
Storge
Agape
Philia
Eros
Selfless giving
Passion
Frienship

15. Love Western culture idealizes the concept of romantic love
In the U.S., most people believe romantic love is a prerequisite for marriage or other kinds of long-term or permanent relationships
Romantic love involves emotional highs and lows
Women justify sexual activity with love, but men do not need to attribute love to sexual urges and behavior

16. Love
Infatuation
A state of intense absorption in or focus on another person
Usually involves sexual desire, elation, general physiological arousal or excitement (passion)
At first, difficult to differentiate from more enduring forms of love
As time passes, begin to view more realistically
Can be passing fancy, may develop into more enduring relationship
Not necessarily a first step to lasting, mutual love

17. Contemporary Models of Love
Biological Mechanisms
Bodily changes occur when we experience feelings of love
Brain chemistry stimulates pleasure center
Hormones stimulate physiological responses
Heightened levels of nerve growth factors increase awareness

18. How can you best make use of this information?
Critical Thinking
The student of psychology or sociology might wonder what all of this biological research means.
Does it mean, for example, that students of human sexuality must memorize every corner of the brain and every neurological activity?
Or does it call, rather, for a more general appreciation that thoughts and emotions are based in the body—and particularly in the brain—and that these scientific facts are not to be ignored when we discuss the nature of human beings?
How can you best make use of this information?

19. Love as Appraisal of Arousal (Berscheid & Hatfield)
Experience intense state of physiological arousal connected with appropriate love object
Attribute arousal to feelings of love
Love as Appraisal of Arousal
(Berscheid & Hatfield)
Cultural setting idealizes romantic love

20. Love Styles of Love (Hendrick & Hendrick)
Romantic love (eros)
Game-playing love (ludus)
Friendship (storge, philia)
Logical love (pragma)
Possessive, excited love (mania)
Selfless love (agape)
Love
Styles of Love
(Hendrick & Hendrick)
Most people “in love” experience number of styles
College men more likely to develop game-playing, romantic styles
College women more likely to develop friendly, logical, and possessive styles
Couples with romantic, selfless styles likely to stay together
Game-playing love leads to unhappiness

21. Love Intimacy Passion Commitment Sternberg’s triangular theory of love
Three main components of loving relationships
Intimacy
Passion
Commitment
Feelings of closeness, bondedness, and connectedness
Desire to share one’s innermost thoughts with the other
Desire to give and receive emotional support
Intense romantic or sexual desire for another person, which is accompanied by physiological arousal
Commitment to maintain the relationship despite potential hardships

22. Sternberg’s Triangular Model of Love
Figure 7.4. The triangular model of love (p. 201).

23. Sternberg’s Triangular Model of Love
Types of Love
Nonlove
All components of love are absent
Liking
Intimacy is present
Passion and commitment are absent
Friendship love
Infatuation
“Love at first sight”
Passion is present
Intimacy and commitment are absent

24. Sternberg’s Triangular Model of Love
Types of Love
Empty
Commitment is present
Passion and intimacy are absent
Romantic
Passion and intimacy are present
Commitment is absent
Companionate
Intimacy and commitment are present
Passion is absent

25. Sternberg’s Triangular Model of Love
Types of Love
Fatuous
Passion and commitment are present
Intimacy is absent
Consummate
Full or complete measure of love
Combination of passion, intimacy, and commitment
An ideal type of love
Harder to maintain than to achieve