Regardless of our personal preferences, we all require some amount of social con
ID: 3449692 • Letter: R
Question
Regardless of our personal preferences, we all require some amount of social contact. However, the level of social contact and type of relationship we share with others vary significantly. Social psychologists tend to focus on the qualities and characteristics that make up long-lasting relationships. One of the most challenging characteristics in a close relationship is love.
Describe the four factors that result in an individual being attracted to another? Explain which of the four factors are the most significant and which of them is the least significant in initiating friendship and attraction.
Explain the definition and concept of passionate and companionate love and compare and contrast both types of love. In your opinion, is there more than just passionate and companionate love?
Explanation / Answer
According to the social psychologist these mentioned characteristics tend to play a role in when an individual is attracted to one another:
The first one is Physical attractiveness. It is seen that when it comes to the feeling of love, people tend to be inclined towards the person whom they consider to be physically attractive more so in the early stages of development of a romantic relationship. Men are found to value the trait of physical attractiveness more than the women.
The second factor can be Proximity. When in a relationship, people tend to feel that they should be closer to the person they are involved with.
Thirdly, people find themselves to be more comfortable with the partner who is similar to them in terms of characteristics such as age, race, religion, social class, personality, education, intelligence, and attitude.This similarity factor also comes into play when we make friendships also.
The fourth factor is that people tend to like others who reciprocate to their feelings.
Romantic love includes two kinds of love: passionate love and compassionate love. When the love is said to be passionate it means that there is intense sexual desire and attraction for another person. Whereas Compassionate love involves feelings of intimacy and commitment. Compassionate love is warm with the feeling of trust for another person.