Social Psychology

Describe some of the criticisms that have been offered against the evolutionary theory of attraction. The evolutionary theory of attraction states that opposite-sex attraction most often occurs when someone has physical features indicating that he or she is extremely fertile.  The theory explains how people are initially attracted to physical traits that indicate fertility because it makes logical sense to invest in a vessel capable of healthy reproduction.  However, the theory has been criticized because it does not explain relationships between same-sex couples or couples who do not want children.

How is Caryl Rusbult’s (1983, 1991) investment model of relationships similar to and different from traditional social exchange theory models of relationships? The social exchange theory of relationships assumes that all human relationships are formed by a cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives.  In other words, the theory states that people will pick the best option for oneself at the lowest risk.  The worth of a relationship can be broken down into a simple equation: Worth = Rewards – Cost.  Rewards are the positive elements of the relationship, and Costs are the negative.  If Worth is a positive number, then it is a positive relationship.  If negative, then it indicates a negative relationship.  Caryl Rusbult’s investment model of relationships is similar in that it uses a formula, but instead of simple math, it measures the satisfaction level, quality of alternatives, investment size, commitment level and probability of persistence.  In her theory, Rusbult claims that a committed relationship is dependent upon high satisfaction, poor alternatives, and sizable investments.  Rusbult’s theory is heavily based on the interdependence of people, yet also takes into consideration their need for self-preservation.  Unlike the traditional social exchange theory, which assumes that people want the best for themselves, Rusbult claims that it is much more dependent upon people’s need for other people. 

Keeping in mind Robin Akert’s (1998) research on the dissolution of romantic relationships, what strategy should you pursue the next time you are faced with a romantic breakup? I would evaluate and list both the negative and positive aspects of the relationship, and try to ascertain a level of understanding as to why the relationship went bad and if were just a case of opposites attracting.  It is less important to place blame on either party and more important to objectively look at the relationship from an outside perspective.  Then, once somewhat removed, the reasons for the breakup would be clearer and less muddied by feelings.  Of course, the strong emotions that occur immediately after a breakup take their time before allowing this outside perspective to enter the picture, but if one stays logical during an emotional time, it would help ease the level of tension.

Do men and women differ in their tendency to help? If so, how? Men and women differ in their tendency to help not by quantity, but by the manner in which they help and what type of situation it happens to be.  Women are generally more reciprocal towards a situation that requires emotional counseling and are more open to talking through an issue.  Men react more to a physical issue that they can assess without too much emotional strain.  Of course this is not always the case, but if your car breaks down it is more likely for a man to stop and try to fix it.  When it comes to fixing something more emotional, women tend to be more helpful and receptive.  

How do sociobiologists use the concepts of kin selection and the reciprocity norm to explain human prosocial behavior? The concept of kin selection, which is the evolutionary strategy that favors the reproductive success of one’s relatives over oneself, is an altruistic view of the purpose of society.  The reciprocity norm, which is the expectation that people will respond favorably to each other by returning benefits for benefits, and react with indifference or hostility to harm, utilizes the basic rule that if you treat people nicely, you will be treated nicely in return.  Sociobiologists use both of these to explain human prosocial behavior because it is the purpose of both theories to find a reason why people help other people every day.  Both theories, however, in particular the reciprocity norm, are not completely rooted in altruism, and there is a level of self-motivated benefit associated with each.  Regardless, the reciprocity norm is the basic function for all of our business, relationships, and interactions.  Kin selection is slightly more reserved, indeed focusing on the mutual benefitting of society over individual, but is less of a function for our day to day relationships and more of an unspoken social awareness.

According to the authors, how does a belief in a just world (Lerner, 1980) contribute to blaming the victims of injustice? The belief in a just world contributes to blaming the victims of injustice because it implies that the victims had some sort of guilt in their situation.  The belief in a just world is difficult to maintain when there is so much injustice happening everywhere.  However, the sheer evidence of people recognizing that injustice is evidence towards society’s collaborative sense to knowing what justice looks like.  In many cases, the victims of what society deems to be unjust are shamed, somehow deserving of their situation and therefore guilty.  In society’s most widely interpreted misgivings of justice, there will always be an opinion which blames the victim.  When in fact, as Lerner asserts, a true belief in a just world must assume the victim no responsibility.  In any violation of justice, the victim should be devoid of any fault.  Therefore, we must assume the necessary delusion of living in a just world to recognize injustice and enact against it.   

Work Cited

Aronson, Wilson, and Akert. Social Psychology. 7th. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.