SOCI 2160 Day 8 January 7, 2013

Agenda Choices and types of relationships Work time for Wedding Planning projects

Choices and Types of Relationships

Types of Relationships Decoding the words Prefix endo - in side exo – out side homo – same hetero – different; other Suffix - gamy = marriage

Endogamy Endogamy is the cultural expectation to select a marriage partner within one’s own social group, such as race, religion, and social class.

Exogamy There is also the cultural expectation that one will marry outside his or her own family group. This expectation is known as exogamy.

Homogamy Age Race Religion Education Social class Physical appearance Homogamy refers to individual initiative toward sameness. Common homogenous characteristics: Age Race Religion Education Social class Physical appearance Marriage status Personality Propinquity

Sociological Factors Operative in Mate Selection Homogamy

Spirituality and Religion and a Couple’s Relationship Couples with a homogeneous religious marriage may have greater marital stability and a lower chance of divorce due to the value of religion for resolving conflicts.

1 entry found for matchmaker. Main Entry: go-between agent, arbitrator, attorney, broker, dealer, delegate, deputy, emissary, entrepreneur, envoy, factor, interagent, interceder, intercessor, intermediary, intermediate, intermediator, liaison, matchmaker, mediator, medium, messenger, negotiator, proxy, referee, representative Source:  Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1) Copyright © 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Matchmaking How would you feel if your parents arranged your marriage for you? Would you go on a blind date? Would you participate in a marriage matching program such as Partners.com? Film clips

Psychological Factors Operative in Mate Selection Complementary-Needs Theory Complementary-needs theory states that we tend to select mates whose needs are opposite and complementary to our own.

Parental Characteristics Role theory and modeling theory emphasize that a son or daughter models after the parent of the same sex by selecting a partner similar to the one the parent selected.

Psychological Factors Operative in Mate Selection Exchange Theory Exchange theory emphasizes that mate selection is based on assessing who offers the greatest rewards at the lowest cost.

Five concepts help to explain the exchange process in mate selection. Rewards Cost Profit Loss Alternative

Men and women report that the personality characteristics of being warm, kind, open, and having a sense of humor were very important to them in selecting a romantic/sexual partner.

OTHER WAYS TO CLASSIFY MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES Prefix patri - father matri - mother Suffix determines classification

FAMILY TYPE BASED ON AUTHORITY Patriarchial oldest male in charge Matriarchal oldest female controls family decisions Democratic or Egalitarian shared decision making

FAMILY TYPE BASED ON LOCATION OF RESIDENCE Patrilocal residing with or near male’s relatives Matrilocal residing with or near female’s relatives Neolocal marital unit resides separately

FAMILIES TRACED THROUGH DIFFERENT DESCENT PATTERNS Patrilineal traced through father’s family lines Matrilineal traced through mother’s family lines Bilineal or bilateral

Personality Characteristics Predictive of Divorce Poor impulse control Hypersensitivity Inflated ego Being neurotic Anxiety Insecurity Control

Definition of Sociobiology Sociobiology suggests a biological basis for all social behavior—including mate selection.

Marrying for the Wrong Reason Rebound Escape Unanticipated pregnancy Psychological blackmail Pity Filling a void

What characteristics or under what circumstances would you consider calling off the wedding?

Age 18 or Younger Known Partner Less Than Two Years Abusive Relationship Critical Remarks Numerous Significant Differences On-and-Off Relationship Dramatic Parental Disapproval Low Sexual Satisfaction 9. Marrying for the Wrong Reason

Assignment Quizzes for Chapters 1 – 6 are due 1/12/13 Wedding Planning Presentations are due on 1/14/13