Glossary
Comfort and Support
The feeling of security, acceptance, and mutual care within a relationship, where partners provide emotional and practical assistance to each other.
Example:
Knowing that your partner will listen without judgment when you're stressed about an exam, and offer encouragement, demonstrates the comfort and support essential for a lasting relationship.
Companionate Love
The deep, affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined.
Example:
The comfortable, trusting bond shared by a long-married couple who have built a life together, prioritizing mutual support and understanding, is a prime example of companionate love.
Equity
A condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it.
Example:
In a healthy friendship, if one person consistently offers emotional support, the other friend should reciprocate with similar support to maintain equity in the relationship.
Mere-exposure effect
The phenomenon where repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases our liking for them.
Example:
Even if you initially disliked a new pop song, hearing it frequently on the radio might lead you to eventually enjoy it, illustrating the mere-exposure effect.
Passionate Love
An aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship.
Example:
The overwhelming excitement and constant desire to be with a new romantic partner, often characterized by a racing heart and obsessive thoughts, exemplifies passionate love.
Physical Attractiveness
The degree to which a person's physical features are considered pleasing or beautiful, often influencing initial impressions and attraction.
Example:
In a job interview, a candidate's perceived physical attractiveness might unconsciously influence the interviewer's positive bias, even if it's unrelated to their qualifications.
Proximity
The geographical nearness of people, which increases the likelihood of attraction.
Example:
You're more likely to become friends with someone who lives in your dorm building than someone across campus, demonstrating the power of proximity.
Reward theory of attraction
The theory that we like those whose behavior is rewarding to us or whom we associate with rewarding events.
Example:
You might feel more attracted to a classmate who consistently helps you understand difficult concepts, as their behavior is rewarding to your academic success.
Self-disclosure
The act of revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others, which is crucial for building trust and intimacy in relationships.
Example:
When a friend shares a deeply personal fear or past experience with you, and you reciprocate by sharing something equally vulnerable, you are engaging in self-disclosure to deepen your bond.
Similarity
The tendency to be attracted to others who share common attitudes, beliefs, interests, and values.
Example:
A student who loves playing video games and reading sci-fi novels is more likely to form a strong friendship with someone who shares those exact interests, highlighting the role of similarity.