Discuss what social psychologists refer to as the need for affiliation. What is the significance of this basic and psychological need, and what are some of the influences that affect our need to affiliate? Support your response

Define interpersonal attraction and discuss the role that each of the following factors play in the attraction process: proximity; repeated exposure; reciprocity; moods; physical attractiveness; body type; similarity; likability

• Define the term love, the origin of love, and distinguish between the following components of love: companionate; consummate; passionate; unrequited. If you had to choose only one type of love component, which would it be and why?
• Identify and describe the three components of Sternberg's triangular theory of love: intimacy; passion; commitment. Provide several examples of relationships that contain one or several of these components, and discuss which type of relationship would be considered most ideal
• Discuss the two factors that are most likely to destroy love, and the impact that either jealousy or infidelity might have on a romantic relationship
• Discuss what the term attachment style refers to, and distinguish between the following attachment styles: secure; fearful-avoidant; preoccupied; dismissing. Which one of these attachment styles is considered most ideal/least ideal and why? Support your response
• Discuss the impact of close friendships throughout the lifespan. What do these friendships provide for us, and what kinds of factors tend to influence the basis for these friendships? Support your response

 

Psychology Questions

1. Discuss what social psychologists refer to as the need for affiliation. What is the significance of this basic and psychological need, and what are some influences that affect our need to affiliate? Support your response

The need for affiliation instils the desire for approval from peers and people with regular contact. Also, people with a need for affiliation desire warm interpersonal relationships (Williams et al. 2018). The need to affiliate enables the individual to join with others to create powerful groups, become more adaptive, and augment creativity. The desire to be in a group is the strongest influence that drives the need to affiliate. The fear of controversy or being left out, creating connections, and establishing relationships also influences the need to affiliate. 

2. Define interpersonal attraction and discuss the role that each of the following factors plays in the attraction process: proximity; repeated exposure; reciprocity; moods; physical attractiveness; body type; similarity; likability

Interpersonal attraction is a positive evaluation or attitude towards a person. Proximity in the attraction process denotes the distance between people. Proximity promotes friendship and familiarity, while repeated exposure denotes experiences derived from repetition. These experiences have a profound impact on the emotional and cognition aspects of interaction. Reciprocity stands for one person being attracted to the other after realizing their attraction towards them. Moods are predominant emotions that affect the way people interact with each other. People with attractive partners are treated better, and charming people are more popular than their counterparts. Most people associate attraction with body type, which can either be endomorph, ectomorph, or mesomorph. Similarity denotes that people are attracted more to people who share common interests, and likability denotes attraction based on qualities that exude favorable regard (Malloy, 2018).  

3. Define the term love, the origin of love, and distinguish between the following components of love: companionate; consummate; passionate; unrequited. If you had to choose only one type of love component, which would it be and why?

Love is an intense feeling characterized by deep affection. The notion of love originated from Plato’s Symposium, the Myth of Aristophanes (Mulroy, 2021). The compassionate component denotes affection, commitment, trust, and intimacy. However, unlike consummate love, compassionate love is non-passionate. Consummate love is passionate, and couples who experience it cannot imagine themselves with other partners. Consummate love also entails commitment and intimacy. The passionate component of love involves feelings that induce physical attraction, romance, and sex. The unrequited component is love that is not rewarded or returned. I would choose the consummate type of love component because it is the most comprehensive form of love that represents ideal relationships. Consummate love ensures that couples overcome their differences and face life challenges together. 

4. Identify and describe the three components of Sternberg's triangular theory of love: intimacy; passion; commitment. Provide several examples of relationships that contain one or several of these components, and discuss which type of relationship would be considered most ideal

Sternberg's triangular theory of love highlights the components of intimacy, passion, and commitment. Intimacy denotes feeling a strong bond, connectedness, and closeness. Passion denotes the desire for romance, sexual consummation, and feelings that instigate physical attraction. Commitment denotes the feeling of wanting to remain with someone and accomplish shared goals (Sorokowski et al. 2021). Family relationships contain intimacy and commitment, romantic relationships have intimacy, commitment, and passion, and most friendships are intimate. A romantic connection is the most ideal type of relationship because it features all the components of love. Romance connects people emotionally through physical attraction and intimacy. 

5. Discuss the two factors that are most likely to destroy love, and the impact that either jealousy or infidelity might have on a romantic relationship

Taking partners for granted is one factor that can destroy love. When love is not nurtured, it becomes stale. Partners must appreciate one another and keep proving their love. Doubt is another factor that can destroy love. People in doubt can never thrive in love because trust is the most critical element of any relationship (Jeffers, 2017). Infidelity can drain a romantic relationship because affairs leave partners feeling confused, betrayed, alone, and devastated. 

6. Discuss what the term attachment style refers to, and distinguish between the following attachment styles: secure; fearful-avoidant; preoccupied; dismissing. Which one of these attachment styles are considered most ideal/least ideal and why? Support your response

Attachment style is the specific way a person relates to those they love or in relationships. People consider an attachment style secure when there is profound trust. Anxiety marks the fearful-avoidant style, and it manifests where people have trust issues. Preoccupied style occurs when people are overwhelmed with feelings of fearfulness, confusion, anxiety, and anger. Dismissive attachment styles occur when an individual does not value close relationships or the desire to create social bonds. I consider secure the most ideal attachment type because it is easy to accept and reciprocate love (Bender & Ingram, 2018). Partners can depend on one another without being overly dependent. 

7. Discuss the impact of close friendships throughout the lifespan. What do these friendships provide for us, and what kinds of factors tend to influence the basis for these friendships? Support your response

Close friendship throughout the lifespan has a positive impact on life satisfaction, mental health, and identity. Friendships provide a sense of purpose and belonging, reduce stress and boost happiness, and help cope with traumas like death, job loss, illness, and divorce. Also, friendships encourage an individual to change and avoid harmful lifestyle habits like sedentary living or excessive drinking (Wrzus & Neyer, 2017). Therefore, friends play a crucial role in promoting an individual’s overall health. Factors that influence the basis for friendships include proximity, availability, and similarity of attitudes. These factors hinge on acceptance, trust, and confidence.