Question 1

Describe the factors that make marriages last, and contrast those with predictors of marital dissolution.

Accepted Answer

Marriages that last are often characterized by factors such as effective communication, mutual respect, trust, commitment, and shared values and goals. Couples who communicate openly and honestly with each other are better equipped to navigate challenges and resolve conflicts. Mutual respect and trust form the foundation of a strong marriage, as both partners feel valued and secure in their relationship. Additionally, a deep commitment to each other and a willingness to work through difficulties together contribute to the longevity of a marriage. Finally, sharing common values and goals can help couples build a strong and enduring bond.

On the other hand, predictors of marital dissolution often include factors such as poor communication, lack of respect, infidelity, and diverging values and goals. When couples struggle to communicate effectively or respectfully, it can lead to unresolved conflicts and resentment. Infidelity can also be a major factor in the breakdown of a marriage, as it erodes trust and can be difficult to overcome. Additionally, if partners have diverging values and goals, it can create tension and conflict within the relationship, ultimately leading to marital dissolution. Ultimately, marriages that last are built on a foundation of strong communication, mutual respect, trust, commitment, and shared values and goals, while marriages that dissolve often struggle with poor communication, lack of respect, infidelity, and diverging values and goals.

Question 2

Summarize Dutton and Aron's (1974) study on arousal and attraction.

Accepted Answer

Dutton and Aron's (1974) study focused on the relationship between arousal and attraction. The researchers conducted an experiment in which male participants were approached by an attractive female interviewer on either a shaky suspension bridge or a sturdy bridge. The participants were then asked to complete a questionnaire and were given the interviewer's phone number in case they had further questions.

The results of the study showed that the participants who were approached on the shaky bridge were more likely to call the interviewer later, indicating a higher level of attraction. Dutton and Aron concluded that the physiological arousal caused by the shaky bridge led to an increase in attraction towards the female interviewer. This study provided evidence for the idea that arousal can influence feelings of attraction and romantic interest.

Question 3

According to Todorov and colleagues (2005, 2011), when asked to guess the winners of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives elections based on looks alone, participants guessed correctly most of the time. In the study, male participants were more likely to vote for female candidates based on

Accepted Answer

Male participants were more likely to vote for female candidates based on physical attractiveness.

Question 4

A brilliant investment banker makes millions each year. He marries a beautiful, young supermodel. In the context of physical attractiveness, the banker and his wife most likely exhibit ________ in this scenario.

Accepted Answer

The matching phenomenon suggests that people are more likely to form and succeed in a committed relationship with someone who is equally socially desirable, often in terms of physical attractiveness or other traits. However, in this scenario, the banker and his wife do not exhibit this phenomenon as they differ significantly in terms of physical attractiveness, with the banker being wealthy and the wife being a supermodel.

Question 5

A talkative, extroverted young woman is strongly attracted to a quiet, introverted, middle-aged man. Her attraction to the man would be predicted by

Accepted Answer

Complementarity suggests that people are attracted to others who have traits that complement their own, such as an extroverted person being attracted to an introverted person.

Question 6

A same-sex couple have been living together for eight years. They have a deep, affectionate attachment and are committed to each other. They perceive themselves receiving from their relationship in proportion to their contribution to it. Which of the following kinds of love is exemplified by the couple in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Companionate love is characterized by deep affection, commitment, and a sense of equity in the relationship, which aligns with the couple's description.

Question 7

A young doctor marries an attractive man. He assumes that the attractive man will also be very kind. Gradually, however, he realizes that the attractive man does not possess other socially desirable traits. Which of the following does the doctor most likely exhibit in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The doctor exhibits the physical-attractiveness stereotype, which is the tendency to assume that physically attractive people also possess other socially desirable traits, such as kindness.

Question 8

A woman believes that her partner enjoys more benefits from their relationship than she does, even though she invests more time, effort, and resources. Clearly, the woman believes that her relationship with her partner lacks

Accepted Answer

The woman feels that the relationship lacks equity because she perceives an imbalance in the distribution of benefits and contributions between her and her partner.

Question 9

Kalick (1977) had Harvard students rate their impressions of eight women based on profile photographs taken before or after cosmetic surgery and found that

Accepted Answer

Post-surgery women were judged to be kinder and more likable, indicating that cosmetic surgery positively influenced perceptions of personality traits.

Question 10

Functional distance refers to

Accepted Answer

Functional distance refers to how often people's paths cross, which can influence the likelihood of interactions and relationships forming.

Question 11

Provide two examples of the disclosure reciprocity effect.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Provide two examples of the disclosure reciprocity...

Question 12

Explain how the two-factor theory accounts for passionate love.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how the two-factor theory accounts for...

Question 13

Research has shown that other things being equal, we guess ________ people are happier, sexually warmer, more outgoing, and more successful than others.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that people often associate physical attractiveness with positive traits, such as happiness, warmth, sociability, and success, a phenomenon known as the "halo effect."

Quiz 11: Attraction and Intimacy