Relationship Analysis
How does attraction happen and how do relationships form? Attraction and relationships are complex in that they are influenced by numerous factors, including, but not limited to, age and gender of the partners, stage of the relationship, and culture.
For this Assignment, you explore the elements of a relationship and the rules and expectations associated with them. You also examine what influences these elements and rules/expectations.
To prepare:
- Review Chapter 10 of your course text, Social Psychology, focusing on attachments in childhood and adulthood. Also focus on the factors involved in attraction, romantic love, relationship satisfaction, and romantic breakups.
- Review at least two of the journal articles in this week’s Learning Resources to explore aspects of attraction and romantic relationships in different cultures. (You do not have to read all of the articles.) Think about how people in a different culture might view and behave in relationships. Notice the similarities and differences between that culture and your own.
The Assignment (4-5 pages):
In a 4 to 5-page paper, analyze a personal relationship you have or have had (or a relationship of someone you know well). This relationship may be a romantic relationship or a friendship. Address the following:
- Briefly identify the type of relationship you are using as your example and describe each person’s attachment style.
- Select at least four concepts or theories from your readings that describe in more depth the relationship and/or how this relationship developed, was maintained, or ended. Analyze how these four concepts or theories relate to the relationship you have chosen to assess.
- Finally, select a culture presented in one of the articles listed and consider how that cultural context could impact your relationship. If one or both of the individuals in your relationship was from this other culture, would your four selected concepts or theories still apply in the same way? If not, what would differ? Would another concept or theory be more applicable, and why? Use information from, and cite, your selected article.
Probable Answer
Introduction
The issue concerning attraction and relationships is influenced by factors such as culture, gender and the age of partners as well as the level of the relationship. Healthy attachments begin in childhood whereby the baby develops an innate connection with a caregiver or parent who reliably meets the needs of the baby. However, when caregivers and parents do not meet the needs of the infants, this affects their future relationships. There are different types of relationships such as peer group relationships, intimate, professional, household relationships such as family, spouse, child, siblings and extended family relationships (Aronson, et al., 2016). The people in these relationships may develop different attachment styles such as secure, anxious, or avoidant attachments.
Analyzing my relationship
I have a close relationship with Moh, and our friendship began during our first year in college. We share similar likes in sports and crafts activities, and the same values on religion, priorities, and grades. What strengthens our relationship is love whereby based on the Hierarchy of Needs by Maslow, love is an essential aspect of any relationship. Still, we relate through empathy by understanding what each one of us goes through and the better part of it is that communication helps us to share our sad and happy moments. The companionship from our friendship has enhanced how we interact with one another and with other people.
From the description of my relationship, this confirms that the type of relationship that I have with Moh is the friendship relationship. Friendship is a strong interpersonal bond which provides emotional support, companionship and also promotes positive mental well-being as well as physical health. Based on the bond that strengthens our relationship, each one of us has the secure attachment style. People with secure connections are supportive, honest, comfortable and loyal to one another. Depending on how we relate with Moh, she feels satisfied with our friendship, and that is the reason why she goes out of the way into finding activities we could do together such as taking part in charity work.
The concepts or theories that describe our friendship relationship
- Attachment theory
A significant theory that explains my relationship with Moh is the attachment theory which illustrates how people create strong bonds in their social life. People with a secure attachment bond do not have issues of trust or closeness (Aronson, et al., 2016). Instead, they develop long lasting and satisfying relationships, and this is evident in my relationship. The attachment security has increased our multiplexity meaning that we can engage in several social activities together. Such an aspect has widened our social network by developing new friendships with people we share the same values.
Maslow’s theory of motivation proposes that people achieve specific needs through the motivation of their actions. Maslow came up with the hierarchy of needs suggesting that the individuals strive to achieve happiness by doing things that make them realize that goal. In this theory, self-actualization comes first in the hierarchy, however; before an individual reaches that, he/she must meet the physiological needs, safety, love, and esteem needs. In our friendship, both of us manage to meet the physiological needs. Such needs are the primary life’s requirements like food, shelter, and clothing as well as the next level of need which is safety and security. Our friendship has been maintained as a result of love which is in the third level from the bottom of the hierarchy. As human beings, we all need love and the sense of belonging which Moh and I have achieved. According to Maslow love is a psychological and social need which contributes to the achievement of the other levels of need which are self-esteem and self-actualization.
iii. Equity theory
Another concept that describes our relationship is the equity theory which posits that people value fair and impartial treatment. An issue that stands out in this theory is how equitable or fair is the connection (Aronson, et al., 2016). People who are comfortable in their relationships get what they deserve. In my case, we ensure that both fairness and impartiality are a foundation for our friendship. For instance, I prefer studying alone, and Moh is more of a group work person, so we alternate our studying techniques whereby if we study in group work this weekend, the next weekend we read individually. Striking a fair balance in our likes has helped in maintaining our friendship.
- The concept of interpersonal attraction
The fourth concept is interpersonal attraction whereby people become attracted to each other based on the level of mutual familiarity which increases the comfort levels. Interpersonal attraction arises when people become friends due to the shared similarities (Aronson, et al., 2016). Once two people become friends, they usually start to influence each other’s values and attitudes. Depending on my friendship with Moh, behavior and shared likes have motivated our interpersonal attraction. Our friendship has deepened since we understand each other’s opinions, emotions, and personalities. Considering that personality type is also an element that influences interpersonal attraction, some of the personal traits we share are sociability, modesty, and kindness.
How cultural context could impact my relationship
Culture impacts relationships in many different ways due to the varying values in the diverse cultures. Based on the article, “Relationship standards and satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and Intercultural Chinese-Western couples in Australia” it is evident that the Chinese and western cultures have diverse cultural differences (Hiew, et al., 2015). However, through bonding, partners from the two cultures begin to identify their shared similarities, and this contributes to the reduction of the cultural differences among the intercultural couples. Generally, the Chinese value collectivism since extended family relations and teamwork are the norms, but on the other hand, the western culture values individualism.
In my relationship, if Moh were from the Chinese culture, not all of the four concepts would apply the same such as the equity theory. For instance, due to the strongly related relations of the extended family in the Chinese culture, it would be difficult to strike a balance on the time we spent together on certain celebrations. Moh would opt to stay with the family concerning their traditions. Still, it would be difficult to ensure there is fairness when trying to understand her emotions. The Chinese do not express their feeling openly even when enduring pain (Hiew, et al., 2015). Therefore, failing to understand Moh’s emotions would not be fair in the friendship. Thus, another theory that could be more applicable in this case is the relational theory. This theory would be suitable since it would help the two of us to identify communication patterns that would help us understand each other’s emotions. The theory proposes that critical factors that lead to a long-term relationship are communication, co-operation, and shared norms. Therefore, despite the cultural differences in my friendship, we would be triggered to identify communication strategies to help us maintain our friendship.
Conclusion
Generally, from the relationship analysis, it is essential for an individual always to evaluate whether cultural differences in any established relations would be a conflict in the relationship. Sometimes, the barriers of communication, cultural stereotyping or the different norms could contribute to unhealthy relationships that eventually end up breaking (Miller, et al., 2012). Overall, cultural sensitivity is an essential element which helps people to create beneficial intercultural relations.
Reference
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Sommers, S. (2016). Social psychology (9th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
- Chapter 10, “Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships”
- Chapter 13, “Prejudice: Causes, Consequences, and Cures”
Hiew, D. N., Kim Halford, W., van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Liu, S. (2015). Relationship standards and satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and Intercultural Chinese-Western couples in Australia. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46(5), 684–701.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Miller, S. L., Zielaskowski, K., & Plant, E. A. (2012). The basis of shooter biases beyond cultural stereotypes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(10), 1358–1366
