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.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
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
Proximity
Similarity
Self-Disclosure
Physical
Attractiveness
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Reward Theory of Attraction
Proximity
Similarity
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
Reward Theory of Attraction
Self-Disclosure
Attraction is enhanced
when we share
personal details.
Physical
Attractiveness
Attraction is enhanced
depending upon
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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
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.
We don’t waste time on
relationships that are ‘lost
causes’.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
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 SelfCognitive Dissonance
Justification
•
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.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Romantic Love
A temporary and
highly emotional
condition based
on infatuation and
sexual desire.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
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
Intimacy
Commitment
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
CAN I?
• Explain social reality
• Analyze the 4 elements of attraction
• Explain romantic love
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007