COMM 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Interpersonal Attraction, Physical Attractiveness, Impression Management
27 Apr 2018
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The Nature of Relationships
We require intimacy in our significant relationships and they exert significant
influence over our lives
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Intimacy- Significant emotional closeness you feel with someone in a
relationship
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Duration references are used to describe the length of time we have known the
other person. Statements such as "my friend from kindergarten" or "my new
coworker" and "an acquaintance I met last week"
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Context or setting, in which the relationship was initiated. "Friends from the
soccer team" context offers clues to the rules or exceptions for communication.
Rules may be explicitly states. Some rules are implicitly understood
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Role- someone's role in a relationship offers insight into context, duration, and
rules. Terms such as mother, teacher, supervisor, colleague, or coach are used
to describe the role an individual plays in a particular relationship
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Intimate relationships have the following characteristics:
Interdependence- intimate relationships include high degrees of
interdependence. Interdependence is a state in which each person's
behaviors affect everyone else in the relationship
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Investment- we invest significant resources (time, energy, money) in our
most important relationships
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Defining Interpersonal Attraction
Interpersonal attraction refers to a general feeling or desire that impacts our
decision to approach and initiate a relationship with another person
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Physical attractiveness- the dimension of attractiveness most often used in
deciding whether to pursue a relationship is physical attractiveness
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Culture and attraction- culture is an influential factor in our perception of
physical attractiveness
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Social attractiveness- can be defined as common interests or similar patterns of
communication that cause individuals to perceive one another as someone they
would like to spend time with
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Impression management- the process of maintaining a positive image of self in
the presence of others
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Self monitoring- a personality construct that causes a person to respond to
social and interpersonal cues for appropriate communication behaviors in a
variety of situations
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Similarity/homophily- research confirms that we seek out relationships with
those who have common interests, backgrounds, and goals, and who are similar
in appearance
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False homophily- refers to the presentation of a deceptive image of self that
appears to be more similar than it actually is
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Social penetration theory- to address how information is exchanged during
relationship development (picture an onion)
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Uncertainty reduction theory- identifies questions as a primary communication
strategy used for encouraging reciprocal disclosure and reducing levels of
uncertainty
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The Nature of Relationships
Predicted outcome value theory- focuses on the perceived rewards or benefits
associated with a new relationship
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Social exchange theory- refers to an assessment of costs and rewards
determining the value of pursuing a relationship. Rewards consist of behaviors
or things that are desirable. Bu contrast, costs are perceived as undesirable
behaviors or outcomes. (do the pros outweigh the cons?)
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Stages of Forming a Romantic Relationship
Initiating- Meet for the first time
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***2 more terms***
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Integrating- establish a deep commitment and the relationship has its own
identity. When other people see one of you they expect to see the other. You
can borrow stuff without having to ask
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Bonding- public announcement of commitment (engagement or marriage).
Breaking up would be very difficult and relationship is no longer private
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*This model as a staircase, however this still can be fluid
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The Nature of Intimate Relationships
Dialectical tensions- intimidate relationships create dialectical tensions.
Dialectical tensions are conflicts between two important but opposing needs or
desires
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**one other term here***
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Openness and closedness- desire to be open and expressive vs. the desire to be
closed and private
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Novelty and predictability- a certain amount of predictability is necessary for a
relationship to develop, but it can also lead to boredom. We need just enough
novelty to make exciting without being scary or uncertain
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Relationships
Monday, April 9, 2018
11:34 AM
