Question 1

10.Explain how situations can affect romantic attraction.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 10.Explain how situations can affect romantic attraction....

Question 2

After taking this class and mastering the material on attraction, you go to a bar on a Friday night, take a corner table, and observe how people meet and form couples. Which of the following individuals is likely to be the LEAST successful at finding a partner at a singles' bar?

Accepted Answer

Terry's behavior of sharing personal details too quickly can be off-putting in initial social interactions, making him less likely to successfully form a connection compared to the others who display behaviors that can be attractive or engaging in social settings.

Question 3

What predictions would NOT follow from Altman and Taylor's social penetration theory?

Accepted Answer

This statement does not align with social penetration theory, as the theory suggests that intimacy in a relationship develops as partners disclose more personal information, and this depth of disclosure may not be equal across all topical areas.

Answer: None of the above
 All of the other predictions - A, B, and D - are in line with Altman and Taylor's social penetration theory, as they involve the concepts of increasing intimacy through disclosure, the importance of supportive responses to disclosures, and the slowing of disclosure as intimacy increases.

Question 4

The steps of relationship formation in the staircase model (in order) are:

Accepted Answer

The staircase model of relationship formation consists of five steps: initiating, experimenting, intensifying, integrating, and bonding. These steps occur in a sequential order, with each stage building on the previous one. The correct order is: initiating (first encounter or communication), experimenting (finding out more about each other), intensifying (increased communication and self-disclosure), integrating (sharing social circles and merging identities), and bonding (formal commitment). Choice A is the only answer that correctly lists the steps in this order.

Question 5

Your sister is about to start her first semester at college and has moved into campus housing. Based on what you know about attraction, which of the following people would you predict that she will most likely form a relationship with?

Accepted Answer

The proximity effect states that people are more likely to form relationships with those who are physically near them. Therefore, Shakira, who lives in the room next to your sister, is the most likely option for her to form a relationship with.

Question 6

An experiment by Bernstein and his colleagues showed that men will crowd into a small viewing cubicle next to an attractive woman to view a film when different movies are being shown in two viewing rooms but will go to a separate cubicle when only one film is available for viewing. An explanation for this finding is that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of An experiment by Bernstein and his colleagues...

Question 7

1.Distinguish attraction, romantic/sexual attraction, and mate selection from each other.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 1.Distinguish attraction, romantic/sexual attraction, and mate selection...

Question 8

3.Two of your friends are arguing about what makes someone attractive. One of your friends claims, Òopposites attract,Ó whereas the other insists, Òbirds of a feather flock together.Ó Both point to couples you all know to support their argument. Based on what you have learned in this course, what would you tell your friends about whether similarity or complementarity is more attractive?

Accepted Answer

The answer of 3.Two of your friends are arguing about...

Question 9

Proceptivity is to ________ as behavioral synchrony is to ________.

Accepted Answer

Proceptivity refers to behaviors that signal sexual receptivity or interest, similar to signaling, while behavioral synchrony involves mirroring or matching someone's actions, akin to mimicking.

Question 10

2.Briefly summarize the research about personality and attraction. Be sure to discuss the pratfall effect in your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 2.Briefly summarize the research about personality and...

Question 11

7.When he first moved from another state, your friend Annand used an online dating service to look for a girlfriend. Annand is of average attractiveness, plays soccer twice a week, and likes sci-fi movies. Although he continually claimed to be interested in only very attractive women's profiles, his girlfriend of one year (whom he met through the service) is of average attractiveness. Based on the matching phenomenon, how would you explain this apparent contradiction between Annand's claims and actual choice of a romantic partner?

Accepted Answer

The answer of 7.When he first moved from another state,...

Question 12

4.Describe three reasons why we find people who are similar to us more attractive.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 4.Describe three reasons why we find people...

Question 13

6.Early research on reciprocity suggested that we are attracted to people who like us. Explain how subsequent research about the role of reciprocity on attraction has refined this idea.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 6.Early research on reciprocity suggested that we...

Question 14

9.Describe how the attributes women and men look for in romantic partners change depending on whether they are pursuing short-term relationships as opposed to long-term ones.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 9.Describe how the attributes women and men...

Question 15

5.What is the mere exposure effect and what role does it play in attraction?

Accepted Answer

The answer of 5.What is the mere exposure effect and...

Question 16

Which of the following statements about self-disclosure in relationships is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

This statement is actually false. Research has shown that people expect more immediate reciprocal exchange of personal information from strangers or more distant acquaintances, rather than from their closest friends and partners. This is because people are more cautious and guarded in disclosing personal information to those they are close to, as they fear potential negative consequences of it being shared with others or being used against them in some way.

Question 17

To understand people's mate choices, it is enough to know about the qualities of the two individuals involved.

Accepted Answer

To fully understand people's mate choices, one needs to consider a variety of factors beyond just the qualities of the two individuals involved, such as their cultural background, upbringing, and personal preferences. Additionally, shared temperament qualities and qualities indicating loyalty are just a few examples of the many factors that can play a role in mate selection, but there are numerous other factors that can affect this decision. Therefore, choice B is the best answer as it acknowledges that mate choice is a complex subject that requires a multifaceted understanding.

Question 18

The fact that we tend to form relationships with those closest to us demonstrates the principle of:

Accepted Answer

The principle of proximity states that people tend to form relationships with those who are physically closer to them or who they frequently come into contact with. This is evident in friendships formed with neighbors, co-workers, or classmates, and also in romantic relationships formed with people in the same social circle or community. Proceptivity refers to the active seeking out of a mate, while mate selection refers to the conscious choice of a mate based on specific criteria. Attraction is a more general term that can refer to a range of factors that draw people together, including physical appearance, personality traits, shared interests, and more.

Question 19

8.Your friend wonders why female celebrities who have unusual facial features are judged as being most physically attractive. Based on what you have learned about physical appearance and attractiveness, what do you tell your friend?

Accepted Answer

The answer of 8.Your friend wonders why female celebrities who...

Question 20

Research about commitment suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that there are many factors that can influence the level of commitment in a relationship, such as external circumstances (like distance or stress) or personal factors (like individual goals or values). Therefore, commitment cannot be solely attributed to the enduring qualities of the partners or the speed of their self-disclosures. Additionally, while some couples may avoid discussing threatening topics in order to maintain harmony, this is not a characteristic of committed relationships.

Quiz 5: Attraction and Mate Selection