Relationship Analysis
Humanities
How does attraction happen and how do relationships form? Attraction and relationships are complex in that they are influenced by numerous factors, including, but not limited to, age and gender of the partners, stage of the relationship, and culture.
For this Assignment, you explore the elements of a relationship and the rules and expectations associated with them. You also examine what influences these elements and rules/expectations.
To prepare:
- Review Chapter 10 of your course text, Social Psychology, focusing on attachments in childhood and adulthood. Also focus on the factors involved in attraction, romantic love, relationship satisfaction, and romantic breakups.
- Review at least two of the journal articles in this week’s Learning Resources to explore aspects of attraction and romantic relationships in different cultures. (You do not have to read all of the articles.) Think about how people in a different culture might view and behave in relationships. Notice the similarities and differences between that culture and your own.
The Assignment (4-5 pages):
In a 4 to 5-page paper, analyze a personal relationship you have or have had (or a relationship of someone you know well). This relationship may be a romantic relationship or a friendship. Address the following:
- Briefly identify the type of relationship you are using as your example and describe each person’s attachment style.
- Select at least four concepts or theories from your readings that describe in more depth the relationship and/or how this relationship developed, was maintained, or ended. Analyze how these four concepts or theories relate to the relationship you have chosen to assess.
- Finally, select a culture presented in one of the articles listed and consider how that cultural context could impact your relationship. If one or both of the individuals in your relationship was from this other culture, would your four selected concepts or theories still apply in the same way? If not, what would differ? Would another concept or theory be more applicable, and why? Use information from, and cite, your selected article.
Sources to be used:
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Sommers, S. (2016).
Social psychology (9th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
- Chapter 10, “Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships”
- Chapter 13, “Prejudice: Causes, Consequences, and Cures”
Choose two or more of the following articles for review, of which you then write about one:
Arends-Tóth, J., & van de Vijver, F. J. R. (2009). Cultural differences in family, marital, and gender-role values among immigrants and majority members in the Netherlands.
International Journal of Psychology, 44(3), 161–169.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Farrer, J., Tsuchiya, H., & Bagrowicz, B. (2008). Emotional expression in tsukiau dating relationships in Japan.
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(1), 169–188.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Hiew, D. N., Kim Halford, W., van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Liu, S. (2015). Relationship standards and satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and Intercultural Chinese-Western couples in Australia.
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46(5), 684–701.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Madathil, J., & Benshoff, J. (2008). Importance of marital characteristics and marital satisfaction: A comparison of Asian Indians in arranged marriages and Americans in marriages of choice.
Family Journal, 16(3), 222–230.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Remennick, L. (2005). Cross-cultural dating patterns on an Israeli campus: Why are Russian immigrant women more popular than men?
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22(4), 435–454.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Yarhouse, M., & Nowacki, S. (2007). The many meanings of marriage: Divergent perspectives seeking common ground.
Family Journal, 15(1), 36–45.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Required Media
Davidson, J. (Director), & Davidson, F. (Producer). (2005). Mary Ainsworth: Attachment and the growth of love [Video file]. Palo Alto, CA: Davidson Films. Retrieved from
http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://se…
This video demonstrates attachment and the importance of close relationships. A baby monkey uses a cloth mother as a safe haven and a secure base, rather than the nutrition-providing wire monkey.Scroll down past “Segments” until you get to “Clips.” The required 20-second video clip is titled Harlow’s Monkey clip. The entire video is approximately 37 minutes.
Optional Resources
Document: Week 5 Study Guide (PDF)
Devine, P. G., Forscher, P. S., Austin, A. J., & Cox, W. L. (2012). Long-term reduction in implicit race bias: A prejudice habit-breaking intervention. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(6), 1267–1278. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC360368…
Marti, M., Bobier, D., & Baron, R. (2000). Right before our eyes: The failure to recognize non-prototypical forms of prejudice.
Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 3(4), 403–418.
Miller, S. L., Zielaskowski, K., & Plant, E. A. (2012). The basis of shooter biases beyond cultural stereotypes.
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(10), 1358–1366.
Langfitt, F. (2015, March 26). Modern love in China: Shaking your smartphone to find your soul mate [Audio file]. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/03/26/3…
