I CAN Explain social reality Analyze the 4 elements of attraction Explain romantic love Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Constructing Social Reality: What Influences Our Judgments of Others? The judgments we make about others depend not only on their behavior but also on our interpretation of their actions within a social context.

Social Reality An individual’s subjective interpretation of other people and of relationships with them. How we see the world and other people! Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Interpersonal Attraction Reward Theory of Attraction A social learning view that says we like best those who give us maximum rewards at minimum cost ProximitySimilarity Self-Disclosure Physical Attractiveness

Reward Theory of Attraction We make friends with, are attracted to, those that are close by us. We are attracted to those that are most similar to ourselves. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 ProximitySimilarity

Reward Theory of Attraction Attraction is enhanced when we share personal details. Attraction is enhanced depending upon attractiveness. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Self-Disclosure Physical Attractiveness

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Expectations to the Reward Theory of Attraction Matching Hypothesis The prediction that most people will find friends and mates that are about their same level of attractiveness

Expectancy-Value Theory The theory that people decide whether or not to pursue a relationship by… …weighing the potential value of the relationship… (physical attractiveness, wit, intelligence, sense of humor) against ….their expectations of success in establishing the relationship (Will the person like me?) Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

In other words…. We initiate relationships with the most attractive people we think will probably like us in return. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 We don’t waste time on relationships that are ‘lost causes’.

One Exception to this is… …the Influence of Low Self-Esteem Tend to establish relationships with others who share their views… and devalue them. These people are are more committed to relationships where the other person thinks poorly of them. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Attraction and Self- Justification Cognitive Dissonance excessive mental stress and discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time. This stress and discomfort may also arise within an individual who holds a belief and performs a contradictory action or reaction. if you are addicted to smoking cigarettes and continue to smoke despite believing it is unhealthy People are only motivated to change their relationships when the cognitive conflicts become overwhelming. This explains why people remain in relationships that do not work.

Loving Relationship s Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Romantic Love A temporary and highly emotional condition based on infatuation and sexual desire.

Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love 1. Romantic Love High on passion/intimacy, low on commitment 2. Infatuation High level of passion, but has not developed into intimacy or a committed relationship 3. Consummate / Complete Love Involved all three…passion, intimacy, and commitment Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love Passion IntimacyCommitment

CAN I? Explain social reality Analyze the 4 elements of attraction Explain romantic love Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007