1. Chapter 12 Love & Attraction

2. Attraction Positive attitude towards another person –Behavioral tendency (approach) –Affective response (happiness, excitement) –Cognitions (positive evaluation of person) Attraction associated with positive feelings, beliefs and approach behavior What features are viewed as attractive?

3. 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

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

5. 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 Video –Vomero Nasal Organ? –How does smells impact sexuality?

6. 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

7. ItemMaleFemale p IQ3.283.24ns Emotional Stability4.103.58ns Honesty3.172.19.02 Wealth 8.909.32ns Health6.486.62ns Kind3.932.84.02 Weight5.527.82.001 Religion7.487.84ns Race7.388.63ns Attractive3.005.12.001 Height8.288.32 ns Family9.838.53.05

8. Attraction Matching hypothesis –Attracted to partner of similar attractiveness –More than beauty Race, age, SES, religion What about attitudes?

9. Attraction Do opposites attract? –Similarity in attitudes -> attraction –Only for key attitude objects/domains –Why?

10. 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

11. Attraction Affect Centered Approach Positive moods -> positive evaluations & attraction –Vs that impacts mood can impact attraction Physical proximity/repeated exposure -> attraction Why? –New things make us anxious –Repeated exposure reduces anxiety

12. Love Emotion –What is emotion?

13. 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

14. Function of Emotions Direct Adaptive Behs: Evolutionary Theory –Max’d survival how? –Motivated fundamental life tasks –fight/flight, reproduce, obtain food Love evolved to… –Aid infant caretaking Caregiver-child (attachment: Seen in non-human primates) Parents

15. Love Emotion characterized by –1.) Physiological arousal (ANS) Hypothalamus, endorphins, phenylethylamine(PEA), testosterone, dopamine, serotonin –Video –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

16. 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

17. Love Can be source for great unhappiness –Negative valence + high arousal Unrequited love/rejection Loss of loved one Addicted to love –PEA and multiple affairs

18. 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

19. Sternberg Triangular Theory Intimacy Passion Commitment Consummate Love

20. Contemporary Models of Love Infatuation –Passion alone Romantic love –Passion & intimacy alone Companionate love –Intimacy & commitment Non-romantic love can involve –Intimacy - best friend –Intimacy + commitment Parents, sibling

21. Reaction Paper V: Love Have you ever been in love? What was the experience like? What type of love was it?

22. 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