Terms/theories: MHC, Similarity-Attraction Model, Internal Working Model, Mere exposure theory

Research: Fisher et al (2005); Walum et al (2008); Ditzen et al (2009); Low (1990); Wedekind (1995); Markey & Markey (2007), Hazan & Shaver (1987), Buss (1989), Li et al (2010), Ye et al (2006), Zajonc (1968);

Critical thinking: Ecological validity of the studies; sampling bias - often Western university students; ability to replicate research to show reliability, operationalization of "attraction," cross-sectional vs longitudinal studies; use of prospective research. Factors influencing relationship formation are impossible to isolate under natural conditions. It is difficult to determine if attraction is the first step in a relationship or whether it is the result of other factors. Several studies are based on questionnaires and surveys - opening up the research to bias and demand characteristics. The majority of research is etic in nature, asking cultures to rank Western qualities sought out in relationships.

Different command terms: Evaluate research.

Terms/theories: Attributional styles; Relationship enhancing patterns, distress maintaining patterns, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; stonewalling; Social Penetration Theory.

Research: Bradbury and Fincham (1993); Collins & Miller (1994); Gottman (1994)

Critical thinking: sampling bias, bidirectional ambiguity, the use of prospective and retrospective studies; demand characteristics; predictive validity, assumptions on which the theories are based.

Different command terms: Evaluate research

Terms/theories: Social Exchange Theory; Fatal Attraction Theory; the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; Attributional style, Social Penetration Theory

Research: Hatfield et al (1979); Flora and Segrin (2003); Bradbury and Fincham (1993); Collins & Miller (1994); Gottman (1994); Felmlee (1995)

Critical thinking: the role of peak-end rule in gathering data; sampling bias, bidirectional ambiguity; ecological validity of research; research is correlational in nature and does not establish a cause and effect relationship. Relationships are complex and there is not usually a single variable that leads to the dissolution of the relationship. Many theories are reductionist in nature and do not address the interaction of factors that may negatively influence a relationship; predictive validity

Different command terms: Evaluate research

Terms/theories: Neurotransmission, vasopressin, oxytocin, pathogen stress, MHC, sexual selection

Research: Fisher et al (2005); Walum et al (2008); Ditzen et al (2009); Low (1990); Wedekind (1995);

Critical thinking: A reductionist approach to human attraction; research is correlational in nature and does not establish cause and effect; the studies can be highly artificial in nature; animal research used to support theory

Different command terms: Evaluate, contrast a biological approach with a cognitive or sociocultural approach, to what extent

Terms/theories: Internal Working Model, attachment, halo effect, Similarity-Attraction Model

Research: Markey & Markey (2007), Hazan & Shaver (1987), Kiesler and Baral (1970); Veitch and Griffitt (1976); Dion et al (1972) on halo effect

Critical thinking: The inability to isolate cognitive factors in the study of relationships; the difficulties in operationalizing variables such as attachment and self-esteem; use of experimental designs to test theories; use of prospective vs retrospective studies; sampling bias in the research.

Different command terms: Evaluate, contrast a cognitive approach with a biological or sociocultural approach, to what extent

tex

Terms/theories: Cultural dimensions, globalization, Mere Exposure Theory

Research:  Li et al (2010), Moreland and Beach (1992), Ye et al (2006), Zajonc (1968), Gupta and Signh (1982), Levine (1995)

Critical thinking: The potential effect of globalization; evaluation of experimental designs; strengths and limitations of using questionnaires; operationalization of "relationship" and other variables; potential for research bias or demand characteristics.

Different command terms: Evaluate, contrast a sociocultural approach with a cognitive or biological approach, to what extent

Terms/theories: research methods = interviews, observations, experiments, correlational studies, and case studies.

Research: For example: Experiments: Dion et al; Kiesler and Baral; Wedekind; Zajonc; Questionnaires (correlational studies): Buss; Markey & Markey; Hazan & Shaver; Observations: Gottman; Interviews: Felmlee

Critical thinking: Limitations of research methods; construct validity in measuring "attraction," demand characteristics; ability to generalize; ability to replicate; temporal validity; sampling bias.

Different command terms: Evaluate or contrast.

Terms/theories: Ethical considerations include: informed consent, anonymity, right to withdraw, deception, undue stress or harm, and debriefing.

Research: Any research could be used to discuss ethical considerations.

Critical thinking: Informed consent and using couples in therapy to gather data (Gottman, 1994; Felmlee 1995); anonymity - when data is collected, coding should be used and names should not be in print; undue stress or harm - people should not be pressured to discuss hurtful or embarrassing topics in the name of research. Right to withdraw - particularly in prospective studies (e.g. Flora and Segrin, 2003)

Different command terms: This question may only be asked as a "discuss" question.