Question 1

In the context of attraction, the instrumentality perspective proposes that:

Accepted Answer

The instrumentality perspective on attraction suggests that people are drawn to others who can help them achieve their personal goals, indicating that the utility or usefulness of the partner in achieving one's objectives is a key factor in attraction.

Question 2

In Festinger, Schachter, and Back's (1950) study of students living in campus housing at MIT, they found that those most likely to be friends were living:

Accepted Answer

Festinger, Schachter, and Back's study on the social relationships of students in campus housing at MIT found that physical proximity, specifically living one door away from each other, was a significant factor in the formation of friendships, illustrating the importance of spatial proximity in social relationships.

Question 3

Which concept opposes the notion "familiarity breeds contempt"?

Accepted Answer

The mere exposure effect suggests that people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them, opposing the idea that familiarity breeds contempt.

Question 4

On average, which of the following is likely when people who have met online get together in person for the first time?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that when people who have met online meet in person for the first time, there is often a mild disappointment, leading to a decrease in their liking for each other. This is because the idealized images people form online are hard to live up to in person.

Question 5

Which of the following is true of our conceptions of beauty?

Accepted Answer

C is correct because research has shown that across different cultures and ethnic groups, feminine and youthful features in women are often considered attractive. This suggests a certain level of universality in the perception of beauty regarding these traits.

Question 6

Which of the following is true when a culture's food supply is unreliable and people are hungry?

Accepted Answer

In cultures where food supply is unreliable and hunger is a common issue, heavier body types are often considered more attractive as they signify health, wealth, and access to food. This preference can be seen as a survival mechanism, valuing physical traits that indicate an individual is well-nourished and thus potentially a better mate in terms of survival and ability to provide.

Question 7

The biggest influence on one's liking for another in speed dating is the potential partner's ________.

Accepted Answer

The biggest influence on one's liking for another in speed dating contexts is typically the potential partner's outward appearance. This is because initial impressions in such brief encounters are largely based on visual cues.

Question 8

Joe is a moderately attractive man. He is dating three women. Penelope is a very attractive woman, Susanna is moderately attractive, and Wanda is relatively unattractive. All else being equal, who is he most likely to end up with?

Accepted Answer

Susanna. People tend to end up with those who match them in attractiveness. This is known as the matching hypothesis, which suggests that individuals with a similar level of attractiveness are more likely to end up together.

Question 9

Which of the following formulas describes how individuals evaluate a potential partner's desirability?

Accepted Answer

The correct formula that describes how individuals evaluate a potential partner's desirability is "His/Her Physical Attractiveness × His/Her Probability of Accepting the Individual." This formula captures the balance between attractiveness and the perceived likelihood of reciprocation, which are key factors in attraction and decision-making in social and romantic contexts.

Question 10

Which of the following is true about playing "hard to get"?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that being selectively hard to get can increase attractiveness to a desired partner, as it creates a sense of exclusivity and value.

Question 11

Similarity in which of the following factors increases the chances of liking a person?

Accepted Answer

Research in social psychology suggests that similarity in attitudes, demographics, and values can increase interpersonal attraction, leading to a higher likelihood of liking someone. This is because similarity fosters comfort, understanding, and a sense of shared identity.

Question 12

Alex is a strong Republican from South Dakota with a bachelor's degree in business. He enjoys fishing and snowmobiling. He's generally a happy person, with some tendencies toward an avoidant attachment style. Which of the following women is he likely to form a relationship with?

Accepted Answer

Sally shares the most in common with Alex in terms of political views, hobbies, and attachment style, making her the most likely choice for a relationship.

Question 13

Which of the following is true of how people evaluate their similarity to others?

Accepted Answer

People's perceptions of similarity often play a more significant role in attraction than actual similarity. This is because perceived commonalities can foster a sense of connection and understanding, which are crucial for relationship formation and maintenance.

Question 14

According to the stimulus-value-role theory, which of the following are couples most likely to discover last?

Accepted Answer

According to the stimulus-value-role theory, couples go through stages in their relationship where different aspects are evaluated. The last stage involves discussing and discovering each other's roles, including long-term plans such as where to settle down. This comes after initial attraction (stimulus) and discovering shared interests or values (value).

Quiz 3: Attraction