The Matching Hypothesis Theory of relationship formation

Formation Recap What is the reward/need satisfaction theory? What approach is it based on? What are rewards and punishments? What is attraction through association? How can you criticise it using the synoptic toolkit? Can you outline the evaluation study by Griffitt and Guay (1969)?

Learning objective To understand a second theory of relationship formation (the matching hypothesis). Success criteria Use your notes from your AS Level project to summarise the matching hypothesis. Use your smart phone to access an article to read at home. Evaluate the matching hypothesis, using your synoptic toolkit.  Challenge  Work in pairs to analyse why a couple formed a relationship using the two theories of relationship formation.

The Matching Hypothesis When you look at couples who are romantically linked they are sometimes similar in levels of attractiveness. The handsome man and the beautiful woman date and marry, while their plainer counterparts match up.

The Matching Hypothesis There are two hypotheses related to the matching hypothesis: The more socially desirable a person is (in terms of attractiveness) the more desirable they would expect a dating or marriage partner to be. Couples who are matched up (i.e. both are desirable) are more likely to be happy and have longer-lasting relationships than mismatched couples.

Why is it important to make realistic choices when looking for a mate?

Walster’s computer dance study

Murstein (1972) Photos of 197 couples in various statuses of relationship (from casually dating to married), were rated in terms of attractiveness by eight judges. Each person was photographed separately. The judges did not know which photographs went together within romantic partnerships. Murstein concluded that people of a similar attractiveness are more likely to enter into intimate relationships. Self-perception and perception of the partner were included in the first round of the study; however, in the later rounds they were removed, as partners not only rated themselves unrealistically high, but their partners even higher.

evaluation

Evolutionary Approach Individuals want to have the best looking children and therefore want to have the best looking partner. Better-looking offspring increases the chances of your genes being passed on.

Complex matching

Gender differences

The role of a third party