Attraction & Altruism

Attraction & Altruism Katie Kucharyszyn and Fran Simonian Period 5

Proximity & Mere Exposure Effect Proximity: The physical closeness to another person Mere Exposure Effect: The constant exposure to something makes people more likely to favor it. • They influence each other greatly and affect our likeness to people, places, and things when we are often exposed to them.

Physical Attractiveness • First impressions are based on outside appearances which draws our attention to certain people. • Filter Theory: Individuals sort out the people that they want to know from those who they do not want to know. • People portray attractive people to be happier, more successful, and overall better. • The way that an individual views their own attractiveness will decide who they find attractive.

Standards for attractiveness are constantly altered as we evolve. • People change themselves to fit the attractiveness criteria of society's thoughts at that given time. • In general, our culture affects what we find attractive.

Similarity Similarity: An aspect, trait, or feature like or resembling another or another's. • The more alike we are, the more we're attracted to one another. Ex: sharing groups of friends, same beliefs, and interests. • In simple terms, we like people who like us and we act positively towards them which allows you to establish a greater relationship.

Types of Love: Passionate & Companionate Love Passionate Love: It is an aroused state in which couples share an intense interest in each other. • This type of love excites those who like change and have a mad passion for a shorter period of time. • The physical arousal of attractiveness towards their partner tends to diminish in most cases, or in time can turn into companionate love.

Companionate Love: This is a lasting attachment for the person we are affectionate with. • Considered a mature love. • Based on affection rather than obsession. • To maintain this relationship, you need equity and self-disclosure. Equity: When two people in the relationship, contribute and receive equally. (50/50 relationship) Self-Disclosure: Sharing important aspects of your life to one another and is the pathway to trust.

What is Altruism? Altruism: is much like selflessness. Your happiness is based on the happiness of others. • It is also known as the bystander effect:the tendency for bystanders to be less likely to take action if other people are present. John Darley & Bibb Latane: They were researchers to the Kitty Genovese rape and murder. They studied the results and reasons why no neighbors helped as they heard her scream.

The Kitty Genovese Incident • She was a young woman walking home late one night. On her walk home, she was stalked by one individual who ended up raping and murdering her. • While she was stabbed, she screamed for help. 38 of her neighbors heard her cries, yet no one took action to help. • Darley and Latane studied the actions of the bystanders in hopes of figuring out why they did not help her.

They created studies where they set up fake incidents, similar to Kitty's, to try and figure out their actions. • They found that the not helping was based on the situation not because they were uncaring people. • Because there were 38 other people, every neighbor assumed the other had already called or taken action.

Thought process of intervening: How we decide to help. Attempts to Help Notice Incident? YES YES YES Interprets incident as emergency? Assumes Responsibility? NO NO NO NO HELP NO HELP NO HELP

So, when are we likely to help others? • when we are not in any hurry • when we believe the victim needs help • when we are in a good mood • when we are feeling guilty • when we are in a small town or rural area • when we saw someone else being helpful

Work Cited "Newman Study Site." Newman Study Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. "Proximity and the Mere Exposure Effect." - Section 02 & 03 F11 Psy 1001. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. "The Kitty Genovese Murder." A Cry in the Night. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013.

Attraction & Altruism