If asked about formation, best to use studies as there is more info than theories:
Formation Studies (Proximity, Similiarity- Attitude, Demographics, Personality, Physical Attractiveness
And Theories (Evolutionary and Reinforcement and Need Satisfaction):
Studies:
The formation of relationships from research studies, suggest that there are many factors involved, such as proximity, similarity and physical attractiveness. PROXIMITY- Festinger found by analysing students in a university complex the different relationships and found that those who were most friendliest were those who lived next door to each other, second most friendly were those who lived at least on door away and third most friendly were those who lived next to the stairs. However the least friendly were those at the end of corridors away from stairs.
In addition to this Bosard found that from 5000 pre-martial addresses of couples, that half of them lived within walking distance of each other and suggesting this is an important factor. However, this study has been criticised as being dated- 1932, and that we can travel greater distances- as well as the recent impact of the internet.
Zajonc also found suggested the “mere exposure” effect- and that where a person see’s someone more often, they begin to like them even more- however contradicting research suggests that this can often have an opposite effect and lead to dislike.
In terms of SIMILARITY, firstly ATTITUDE – Werner suggested that, “those who play together stay together”, in other words those who share similar interests in leisure activities form relationships. However, Newcomb found that after setting up students with different attitude similarities there were different results. Those who were paired up with similar attitudes to themselves- 58% of them got on. However, those who were with unsimiliar attitudes – 25% of them got on. This is criticised as students were paid, and this was an artificial experiment.
In terms of DEMOGRAPHICS Kandel found after asking secondary students to identify their best friends amongst others- in the majority of cases they selected someone of the same demographics- e.g. gender, age, ethnic, race, social background.
In terms of PERSONALITY it has been suggested relationships form with people who are either similar “ birds of a feather flock together” or that “opposites attract”. Winch argued in favour that opposites attract, and he explained this was so because couples would have complimentary needs e.g. a domineering person with a submissive person would mean both their needs are complimented and fulfilled.
However, research has found that there is no notion for the statement that opposites attract.
Physical attractiveness is also said to be an important factor in the formation of relationships. The matching hypothesis theory and findings from Murstein et al and Walster et al support this.
Maintenance Theories: Economic theories- Social Exchange Theory and Equity Theory
The main assumption of the social exchange theory is that individuals try to maximise their rewards and reduce their costs. Examples of rewards include: affetion and attention, and examples of costs include: time and effort.
Also another assumption is that the rewards received from a person must be proportionate to the rewards that have previously been given by the person receiving. Thibaut and Kelley suggested that there were 4 main stages in long-term relationships:
1. SAMPLING- This is where the costs and rewards are explored
2. BARGAINING- The costs and rewards are negotiated between the parties’
3. COMMITMENT-The costs and rewards are quite expected and predictable
4. INSTITUTIONLISATION – The costs and rewards are not firmly established
AN ADDITIONAL ASSUMPTION IS THE USE OF A COMPARISON LEVEL, WHICH SUGGESTS THAT INDIVIDUALS COMPARE TE REWARDS THEY ARE RECEIVING IN COMPARISON TO PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIPS.
The Equity Theory- This is an extension of the SET and hatfield et al suggested that this theory takes into account that rewards need to be proportionate to those given previously as mention in SET, but if there is an imbalance, it can be tolerated as long as the parties’ can accept the situation.
The main assumption were expressed by Walster et al. He suggested that firstly that rewards are maximised by individuals and costs and minimised. Secondly those in an inequitable relationship will feel distressed if they are the most disadvantaged. Thirdly, the person that will usually be trying to make the relationship equitable will be the one who is disadvantaged. Lastly, he expressed that were there was an imbalance, it could be adjusted by the other party compensating for it. For example, if a person goes away from the party to play sport once a week, they could go shopping to make up for it.
This is further supported by research asking couples how they felt about their marriages in relation to the amount of rewards received. Those who received the most rewards, felt guilty, those who had the least rewards, felt angry. However, most interestingly, those who found their relationship equitable were the most content.
[b]EVALUATION: [/B] There is research to suggest that those who concentrate on exchange and equity are the least happiest in their relationships, compared to those who do not focus on an equal amount of rewards and costs. Furthermore this does not take into account non-western cultures.
I revised completely out of the revision guide (the Claire Dwyer AQA specific one) for this, and didn't bother using all of the frankly, excessive notes that our ''teacher'' gave us. If I were you, I'd stick to that.
Ugh, yeah PYA4 is definitely the worse exam I've ever done, there's just SO much. You can get away with learning just 3 of the topics though, that's what I had to do in the end, I was never going to revise the 4 we were taught -_-. But a little tip: if you haven't finished revising for it, spend as much time as you can from now until the exam doing it. I left most of it for the day before... that was a BIG mistake. I ended up revising from 1pm to 9:30am before the exam. Non-stop, only the odd break for a drink, no sleep... ugh . Make use of all the time you have left .
I'm so worried about this exam, I feel physically sick. Never used to suffer from exam stress but there is wayyy too much to learn, studies etc. Anyway good luck to everyone, may you be less stressed than me on the day... *screams crazily*,.....
Location: Somewhere so far south, its practically in the sea...
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I'm worried too! Lets worry together!
Thing is i shouldn't be worried, my teachers are so comfident about me doing well in this exam. I've got good AS grades (264/300 - and they could go up further as i resat unit 3) and full marks in my coursework. I only need roughtly half marks to get an A, and i only actually need a B to get into uni! But i want an A, i need it really, as i can't see myself getting a B in history and if i can't get a good grade at A2, how am i supposed to cope with degree level psychology.
I'm predicted A/B but i want an A...I've put in enough effort for it. My mind seems to have collapsed though. I can get into uni with a C if I had to, as I have lots of previous grades I could use. But psychology is my "thing" and I want to do well. I agree with the point that how can you cope at dgree level if you can't even get a good grade as A2. However most unis don't ask for A level Psych to do a degree in it.
Location: Somewhere so far south, its practically in the sea...
Posts: 2,254
Originally Posted by Lollirot
I'm predicted A/B but i want an A...I've put in enough effort for it. My mind seems to have collapsed though. I can get into uni with a C if I had to, as I have lots of previous grades I could use. But psychology is my "thing" and I want to do well. I agree with the point that how can you cope at dgree level if you can't even get a good grade as A2. However most unis don't ask for A level Psych to do a degree in it.
I know, but i want to do well! Especially cos everyone expects me to do well!
hi, i feel your pain! I am so so stressed about this exam, and I have to get an A for uni! I can get by with a B in each of these exams and still get an A, but theres so much to learn for this!
Also, can anyone answer these questions: When it says 'Discuss social development in adolescence' does that mean the relationships with parents and peers?
And when it talks abour understudied relationships, if it doesn't specify just gay and lesbian or internet relationships, can you discuss cultural variations? Help me someone please!!!!!!!
for understudied relationships, you can use homosexual. or electronic.. like mobile phone and email / internet.. dnt know about cultural though! Sorry !
for understudied relationships, you can use homosexual. or electronic.. like mobile phone and email / internet.. dnt know about cultural though! Sorry !
Yeah thats what i was thinking - but theres so little on it i was just wondering if you could use cultural to kind of pad it out a bit :o thanks!
Also, can anyone answer these questions: When it says 'Discuss social development in adolescence' does that mean the relationships with parents and peers?
Sorry, cognitive develpment isn't my subject, does anyone know what the likelihood of understudied relationships appearing on the paper is? Any prophets around please????
Im resittin PYA4 tommorrow morning. I also have a 1 n 1//2 hour Geography synoptic in the morning and a 3 hour textile exam 2moro afternoon.
I know this sounds pretty stupid, but im gonna concentrate on those two papers and leave psychology.. i will go into the exam and see what i can answer.. but i only really know pro and anti social behaviour.. i think i only need 49 marks for a C so i will just try get that on PYA 5... i dont wanna sacrifice my other grades too much!
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