This document discusses three theories of relationship formation: the matching hypothesis, filter model, and reward/need satisfaction model. The matching hypothesis suggests that equally matched partners in terms of physical attraction are more likely to form relationships. The filter model identifies social/demographic factors, shared attitudes/values, and complementary emotional needs as important. The reward/need satisfaction model proposes that relationships form and are maintained because they satisfy partners' biological, affiliation, dependency, dominance, aggression, self-esteem, and sex needs through direct and indirect rewards like operant and classical conditioning.

1. RELATIONSHIP
FORMATION
Recap Match Hypothesis & Filter Theory
Explain Reward/Need Satisfaction Model

2. According to Match Hypothesis…Which
ones are likely to work?

3. Extra A02 for Matching Hyp…
◦McKillip & Riedel (1993)
◦Pairs of friends also tend to be equally matched in
terms of physical attraction

4. According to Filter Model…
◦Jack and Rose were from different parts of London and
from different socio-economic status groups. They formed
a relationship whilst aboard a cruise ship to New York.
They both shared the same values of living life outside of
the restraints of high/low status groupings. If Jack
survived, do you think their relationship would have
lasted? How did you come to that conclusion?

5. Filter Model
◦1. Social/Demographic
◦2. Attitudes & Values
◦3. Complimentary Emotional Needs

6. Relationship Formation…
◦1. Matching Hypothesis
◦2. Filter Model
◦3. The Reward/Need Satisfaction Model

9. Reward/Need Satisfaction Model
◦How do we move on from Physical
Attractiveness alone?

10. Reward/Need Satisfaction Model
◦Byrne & Clore (1970)
◦We form relationships b/c we find them rewarding
◦Partners reward us both and directly (via Operant
Conditioning) and indirectly (via Classical)

11. Operant Conditioning
◦‘Learning through the consequences of behaviour’

12. Explaining Monica and Chandler
Direct rewards, through operant
conditioning…
Liking through association,
through classical conditioning…

13. Operant Conditioning – Direct
Reinforcement
◦ If we feel down and someone helps us escape that mood,
they are providing negative reinforcement
◦ (increasing likelihood of attraction)
◦ Relationships can be Positively Reinforcing by satisfying our
‘needs’

14. Argyle (1994) List of ‘Needs’
◦ B – Biological : Collective Eating
◦ A – Affiliation : Seeking Approval from others
◦ D – Dependency : Comforted or nurtured
◦ D – Dominance : Assertive to others
◦ A – Aggression : Dominance
◦ S – Self Esteem : Being Valued by others
◦ S – Sex : Being Desired

15. Rewards
◦ Relationships become rewarding when they meet our needs…
◦ Rusbult & Van Lange (1979)
◦ ‘Initially, people who don’t know each other too well, will exchange
rewards equally, “Exchange Relationships”.
◦ Over time, rewards become less reciprocal and are given without
expectation of return… “Communal Relationships” ‘
Rewards are given with the sole desire to please the partner

16. Self-Disclosure
◦ Intimacy develops through self-disclosure as people gradually reveal
more information about themselves.
◦ This can be positively reinforcing as it implies trust and is often
reciprocal
◦ This may explain how relationships form and move on from
friendship

17. Classical Conditioning…
◦Liking through association:
◦Pleasant emotions experienced when in the presence of a
someone else increases likability of that person
◦Association of pleasantness to somebody present
◦Holidays
◦Weddings

18.  May & Hamilton (1980)
◦Showed pps photographs of male strangers
◦Photos shown either when whilst pleasant or
unpleasant music was being played
◦Pps asked how attractive they think
the man is…

19.  May & Hamilton (1980)
◦Results showed that pps in the pleasant music condition
rated the stranger significantly more attractive than controls
and those in the unpleasant music condition
◦ supports possibility of relationship formation as a result of
association with pleasant emotions.