PEL Exam 3 Questions and Answers Fully Solved Latest Update 2025-2026
close relationships - Answers those that are important, interdependent, and long lasting
paradox of close relationships - Answers close relationships arouse intense feelings that are both
positive and negative
3 factors underlie initial attraction between strangers: - Answers 1. Proximity - geographically or spatially
close to
2. Familiarity - mere exposure effect
3. Physical attractiveness
attraction - Answers the initial desire to form a relationship
mere exposure effect - Answers the tendency for liking to increase with the frequency of exposure
Matching Hypothesis - Answers proposes that people of similar levels of physical attractiveness gravitate
toward each other
Resource Exchange theory - Answers in heterosexual dating, males 'trade' occupational status for
physical attractiveness in females
David Buss - parental investment theory - Answers states that a species' mating patterns depend on
what each sex has to invest—in the way of time, energy, and survival risk—to produce and nurture
offspring.
2 factors affect viability of relationship: - Answers 1. Reciprocal liking
2. Similarity
Reciprocal Liking - Answers refers to liking those who show that they like you
relationship maintenance - Answers involves the actions and activities used to sustain the desired
quality of a relationship
interdependence or social exchange theory - Answers states that the decision is based on a "cost-
benefit" analysis of the relationship's outcome. If the rewards outweigh the costs, we stay.
comparison level - Answers personal standard of what constitutes an acceptable balance of rewards and
costs
comparison level for alternatives - Answers a person's estimation of the available outcomes from
alternative relationships
, investments - Answers things that people contribute to a relationship that they can't get back if the
relationship ends
communal relationships - Answers relationships in which people's primary concern is being responsive
to the other person's needs
exchange relationships - Answers relationships based on reciprocity and fairness, in which people expect
something in return
6 friendship expectations - Answers 1. symmetrical reciprocity
2. agency
3. enjoyment
4. instrumental aide
5. similarity
6. communion
3 steps of repair (friendship conflict) - Answers 1. Reproach - offended part confronts offender for
explanation
2. Remedy - offender takes responsibility and apologizes
3. Acknowledgement - offended party accepts the apology and the friendship continues
sexual orientation - Answers A person's preference for emotional and sexual relationships with
individuals of the same sex, the other sex, or either sex.
Heterosexism - Answers discrimination or prejudice against homosexuals on the assumption that
heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation
Triangular Theory of Love (Sternberg) - 3 parts - Answers Intimacy: closeness of emotional bond
Passion: romantic and physical attraction
Commitment: decision and willingness to maintain a long-term relationship
Consummate Love (Sternberg) - Answers The ultimate type of love, when a relationship has intimacy +
passion + commitment
Brennan, Clark, and Shaver's (1991) model of adult attachment styles is based on two factors: - Answers
1. Attachment anxiety
2. Attachment avoidant
close relationships - Answers those that are important, interdependent, and long lasting
paradox of close relationships - Answers close relationships arouse intense feelings that are both
positive and negative
3 factors underlie initial attraction between strangers: - Answers 1. Proximity - geographically or spatially
close to
2. Familiarity - mere exposure effect
3. Physical attractiveness
attraction - Answers the initial desire to form a relationship
mere exposure effect - Answers the tendency for liking to increase with the frequency of exposure
Matching Hypothesis - Answers proposes that people of similar levels of physical attractiveness gravitate
toward each other
Resource Exchange theory - Answers in heterosexual dating, males 'trade' occupational status for
physical attractiveness in females
David Buss - parental investment theory - Answers states that a species' mating patterns depend on
what each sex has to invest—in the way of time, energy, and survival risk—to produce and nurture
offspring.
2 factors affect viability of relationship: - Answers 1. Reciprocal liking
2. Similarity
Reciprocal Liking - Answers refers to liking those who show that they like you
relationship maintenance - Answers involves the actions and activities used to sustain the desired
quality of a relationship
interdependence or social exchange theory - Answers states that the decision is based on a "cost-
benefit" analysis of the relationship's outcome. If the rewards outweigh the costs, we stay.
comparison level - Answers personal standard of what constitutes an acceptable balance of rewards and
costs
comparison level for alternatives - Answers a person's estimation of the available outcomes from
alternative relationships
, investments - Answers things that people contribute to a relationship that they can't get back if the
relationship ends
communal relationships - Answers relationships in which people's primary concern is being responsive
to the other person's needs
exchange relationships - Answers relationships based on reciprocity and fairness, in which people expect
something in return
6 friendship expectations - Answers 1. symmetrical reciprocity
2. agency
3. enjoyment
4. instrumental aide
5. similarity
6. communion
3 steps of repair (friendship conflict) - Answers 1. Reproach - offended part confronts offender for
explanation
2. Remedy - offender takes responsibility and apologizes
3. Acknowledgement - offended party accepts the apology and the friendship continues
sexual orientation - Answers A person's preference for emotional and sexual relationships with
individuals of the same sex, the other sex, or either sex.
Heterosexism - Answers discrimination or prejudice against homosexuals on the assumption that
heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation
Triangular Theory of Love (Sternberg) - 3 parts - Answers Intimacy: closeness of emotional bond
Passion: romantic and physical attraction
Commitment: decision and willingness to maintain a long-term relationship
Consummate Love (Sternberg) - Answers The ultimate type of love, when a relationship has intimacy +
passion + commitment
Brennan, Clark, and Shaver's (1991) model of adult attachment styles is based on two factors: - Answers
1. Attachment anxiety
2. Attachment avoidant
