Chapter 7:
Interpersonal attractions and close relationships
1. Internal detriments of attraction: The need to affiliate and the basic
role of affect
The importance of affiliation for human existence
Individual differences in the need to affiliate
Ppl are not all the same they differ in the strength of their need for affiliation: which is the
basic motive to seek and maintain interpersonal relationships.
We tend to seek the amount of social contact that is optimal for us…preferring to be alone
sometimes and in social situations in other times.
When affiliation needs are not met…it can be hurtful…and can in fact lead to less effective
cognitive functioning.
Situational influences on the need to affiliate
External events can elicit temporary states reflecting an increase in the need to affiliate…. An
example would b when ppl face death they may wish to affiliate with the leaving.
Individual differences in the need to affiliate: are there ppl who don’t need other?
Research shows that the need for affiliation is very strong and almost all ppl need it…
however there are some ppl who show what is known as avoidant attachment style – a
pattern in which they claim to have little / no need for emotional attachments to others.
Participant in a research were told either that they were accepted by all the other ppl or
that they weren’t… those who claimed to have avoidant attachment style-were still upset
or in a bad mood if the other ppl didn’t rate them positively… findings show that all ppl in
fact have a need for affiliation.
Attachment styles: the way in which we form emotional bond and regulate our emotions in
close relationships basic aspect of social life.
Effects
Self disclosure: revealing our innermost thoughts and feelings to others
Affect and attraction: feelings as a basis of liking
1
, The presence of positive affect often leads to positive evaluations of other ppl (liking)
While negative affect often leads to negative evaluation (disliking)
The direct effect of emotions on attraction
You like someone who makes you feel good and dislike someone who makes you feel bad!
This shows that a person will like you more if you say/do something positive then negative.
The associated effect of emotions on attraction
Associated effect of emotion occurs when someone is present at the same time as one’s
emotional state is aroused by something or someone else.
You evaluate ppl more positively when u are feeling good then bad… this is associated with
classical conditioning and u are often not even aware of it.
The affect-attraction relationship and social influence
We can be convinced to do certain things just because certain emotions are aroused…this is
often seen in advertising and media.
2. External detriments of attraction: proximity and other’s observable
characteristics
The power of proximity: unplanned contact
Ppl are likely to become acquainted if external factors bring them into repeated contact…
such contact occurs on the basis of physical proximity.
Proximity: the physical closeness between 2 ppl with respect to such aspects as where they
live, where they work and so on… the smaller the physical distance the greater the probability
they will come into contact
Why does proximity matter? Repeated exposure is the key
Ppl are repeatedly exposed to one another and are likely to become familiar and start
interacting,
Repeated exposure: to a new stimulus results in increasingly positive evaluations of that
stimulus. (Zajonc)
When we encounter something new we generally react with mild discomfort…when
repeatedly exposed, familiarity lead to more positive feelings.
Not only does familiarity elicit positive effects positive effects elicit familiarity.
Example: we see a pretty face as more familiar then an ugly face
Sometimes the opposite can also happen (like something the more u see it)
Observable characteristics of others: liking / disliking what we see
However proximity and repeated exposure do not always lead to liking… sometimes we find
ourselves liking ppl we don’t even know…why is this?
2
Interpersonal attractions and close relationships
1. Internal detriments of attraction: The need to affiliate and the basic
role of affect
The importance of affiliation for human existence
Individual differences in the need to affiliate
Ppl are not all the same they differ in the strength of their need for affiliation: which is the
basic motive to seek and maintain interpersonal relationships.
We tend to seek the amount of social contact that is optimal for us…preferring to be alone
sometimes and in social situations in other times.
When affiliation needs are not met…it can be hurtful…and can in fact lead to less effective
cognitive functioning.
Situational influences on the need to affiliate
External events can elicit temporary states reflecting an increase in the need to affiliate…. An
example would b when ppl face death they may wish to affiliate with the leaving.
Individual differences in the need to affiliate: are there ppl who don’t need other?
Research shows that the need for affiliation is very strong and almost all ppl need it…
however there are some ppl who show what is known as avoidant attachment style – a
pattern in which they claim to have little / no need for emotional attachments to others.
Participant in a research were told either that they were accepted by all the other ppl or
that they weren’t… those who claimed to have avoidant attachment style-were still upset
or in a bad mood if the other ppl didn’t rate them positively… findings show that all ppl in
fact have a need for affiliation.
Attachment styles: the way in which we form emotional bond and regulate our emotions in
close relationships basic aspect of social life.
Effects
Self disclosure: revealing our innermost thoughts and feelings to others
Affect and attraction: feelings as a basis of liking
1
, The presence of positive affect often leads to positive evaluations of other ppl (liking)
While negative affect often leads to negative evaluation (disliking)
The direct effect of emotions on attraction
You like someone who makes you feel good and dislike someone who makes you feel bad!
This shows that a person will like you more if you say/do something positive then negative.
The associated effect of emotions on attraction
Associated effect of emotion occurs when someone is present at the same time as one’s
emotional state is aroused by something or someone else.
You evaluate ppl more positively when u are feeling good then bad… this is associated with
classical conditioning and u are often not even aware of it.
The affect-attraction relationship and social influence
We can be convinced to do certain things just because certain emotions are aroused…this is
often seen in advertising and media.
2. External detriments of attraction: proximity and other’s observable
characteristics
The power of proximity: unplanned contact
Ppl are likely to become acquainted if external factors bring them into repeated contact…
such contact occurs on the basis of physical proximity.
Proximity: the physical closeness between 2 ppl with respect to such aspects as where they
live, where they work and so on… the smaller the physical distance the greater the probability
they will come into contact
Why does proximity matter? Repeated exposure is the key
Ppl are repeatedly exposed to one another and are likely to become familiar and start
interacting,
Repeated exposure: to a new stimulus results in increasingly positive evaluations of that
stimulus. (Zajonc)
When we encounter something new we generally react with mild discomfort…when
repeatedly exposed, familiarity lead to more positive feelings.
Not only does familiarity elicit positive effects positive effects elicit familiarity.
Example: we see a pretty face as more familiar then an ugly face
Sometimes the opposite can also happen (like something the more u see it)
Observable characteristics of others: liking / disliking what we see
However proximity and repeated exposure do not always lead to liking… sometimes we find
ourselves liking ppl we don’t even know…why is this?
2
