1. Carroll Chapter 7
Love & Attraction

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Attraction Matching hypothesis Do opposites attract?
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?

7. 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

8. Love
Emotion
What is emotion?

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Sternberg Triangular Theory
Intimacy
Consummate
Love
Passion
Commitment

14. 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