PSYC 334 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Positive Illusions, Reciprocal Liking, Machismo

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 334
• Professor: Ryan Curtis

Document Summary

The nature of intimacy: intimate relationships differ from more casual associations in at least seven specific ways: knowledge, interdependence, caring, trust, responsiveness, mutuality, and commitment. The need to belong: humans display a need to belong, a drive to maintain regular interaction with affectionate, intimate partners. Severe consequences may follow if the need remains unfulfilled over time. The influence of culture: cultural norms regarding relationships in the united states have changed dramatically over the last 50 years. Fewer people are marrying than ever before, and those who do marry wait longer. People routinely cohabit, and that often makes a future divorce more, not less, likely. Sources of change: economic changes, increasing individualism, and new technology contribute to cultural change. So does the sex ratio; cultures with high sex ratios are characterized by traditional roles for men and women, whereas low sex ratios are correlated with more permissive behavior.