Attraction And Relationships
Expert-defined terms from the Evolutionary psychology and social psychology course at HealthCareStudies (An LSPM brand). Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Abandonment Issues refer to the fear of being abandoned or rejected by a… #
This fear can lead to anxiety and insecurity in relationships, causing individuals to become overly attached or dependent on their partner. Related terms include attachment style, anxiety, and insecurity. In the context of evolutionary psychology, abandonment issues can be seen as an adaptation to ensure survival and protection from potential harm.
Accessibility refers to the ease with which an individual can access or i… #
This can include factors such as physical proximity, socioeconomic status, and cultural background. Related terms include social status, attractiveness, and eligibility. In social psychology, accessibility can play a significant role in determining an individual's mate value and desirability.
Active Listening is the process of fully concentrating on and comprehendi… #
This involves paying attention to verbal and nonverbal cues, paraphrasing, and reflecting emotions. Related terms include emotional intelligence, empathy, and effective communication. In the context of relationships, active listening can help build trust and intimacy, and is essential for conflict resolution.
Affection refers to the warm and tender feelings or behaviors</… #
Related terms include attachment, intimacy, and love. In evolutionary psychology, affection can serve as a signal of commitment and investment in a relationship.
Aggression refers to hostile or coercive behavior, such as verb… #
Related terms include anger, conflict, and violence. In social psychology, aggression can be a result of frustration, insecurity, or power imbalances in relationships.
Altruism refers to the selfless and generous behavior of prioritiz… #
Related terms include empathy, cooperation, and reciprocity. In evolutionary psychology, altruism can serve as a signal of commitment and investment in a relationship, and can increase mate value.
Anxiety refers to the feeling of worry or apprehension in r… #
Related terms include stress, insecurity, and uncertainty. In social psychology, anxiety can be a result of attachment style, past experiences, or perceived threats to the relationship.
Appeasement refers to the behavior of yielding or conceding … #
Related terms include conflict resolution, cooperation, and compromise. In evolutionary psychology, appeasement can serve as a strategy for maintaining relationships and avoiding costs associated with conflict.
Arousal refers to the state of physical or emotional excite… #
Related terms include lust, passion, and intimacy. In social psychology, arousal can play a significant role in determining an individual's mate preferences and relationship satisfaction.
Assortative Mating refers to the tendency for individuals to choose</b… #
Related terms include homophily, similarity, and compatibility. In evolutionary psychology, assortative mating can serve as a strategy for increasing relationship satisfaction and stability.
Attachment refers to the emotional bond between two individuals, often ch… #
Related terms include love, affection, and commitment. In social psychology, attachment style can influence an individual's relationship satisfaction, conflict resolution, and overall well-being.
Attraction refers to the process by which individuals are drawn to… #
Related terms include lust, infatuation, and romantic love. In evolutionary psychology, attraction can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Availability refers to the perception of a partner's willingness o… #
Related terms include commitment, investment, and dependence. In social psychology, availability can influence an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Avoidance refers to the behavior of withholding or distancing</… #
Related terms include attachment style, anxiety, and avoidant personality. In evolutionary psychology, avoidance can serve as a strategy for avoiding costs associated with relationships, such as emotional pain or resource depletion.
Bonding refers to the process by which individuals form and str… #
Related terms include attachment, affection, and commitment. In social psychology, bonding can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Commitment refers to the state of being dedicated or invested</… #
Related terms include attachment, investment, and dependence. In evolutionary psychology, commitment can serve as a signal of mate value and investment in a relationship, and can increase relationship satisfaction and stability.
Communication refers to the process by which individuals exchange … #
Related terms include active listening, emotional intelligence, and effective communication. In social psychology, communication can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, conflict resolution, and overall well-being.
Companionate Love refers to the type of love characterized by f… #
Related terms include romantic love, intimacy, and attachment. In evolutionary psychology, companionate love can serve as a mechanism for maintaining long-term relationships and increasing reproductive success.
Conflict refers to the state of disagreement or incompatibility… #
Related terms include aggression, anger, and frustration. In social psychology, conflict can be a result of communication breakdowns, incompatibility, or power imbalances in relationships.
Consciousness refers to the state of being aware or mindful … #
Related terms include self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and introspection. In evolutionary psychology, consciousness can play a significant role in determining an individual's mate preferences and relationship satisfaction.
Courtship refers to the process by which individuals attract and <… #
Related terms include attraction, dating, and mate selection. In evolutionary psychology, courtship can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Dependence refers to the state of being reliant or dependent</i… #
Related terms include attachment, commitment, and investment. In social psychology, dependence can influence an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Desire refers to the feeling of wanting or longing for a pa… #
Related terms include lust, attraction, and intimacy. In evolutionary psychology, desire can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Dissolution refers to the process by which a relationship ends or… #
Related terms include breakup, divorce, and separation. In social psychology, dissolution can be a result of communication breakdowns, incompatibility, or power imbalances in relationships.
Emotional Intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and m… #
Related terms include self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication. In evolutionary psychology, emotional intelligence can play a significant role in determining an individual's mate preferences and relationship satisfaction.
Evolutionary Psychology refers to the field of study that examines the <b… #
Related terms include adaptation, selection, and fitness. In the context of relationships, evolutionary psychology can provide insights into the mechanisms and strategies underlying human mate selection and relationship maintenance.
Falling in Love refers to the process by which individuals experience<… #
Related terms include romantic love, infatuation, and love at first sight. In evolutionary psychology, falling in love can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Friendship refers to the type of relationship characterized by … #
Related terms include companionship, social support, and network. In social psychology, friendship can play a significant role in determining an individual's overall well-being and life satisfaction.
Infatuation refers to the state of being completely absorbed</i… #
Related terms include romantic love, falling in love, and lust. In evolutionary psychology, infatuation can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Intimacy refers to the state of being physically or emotionally… #
Related terms include attachment, affection, and love. In social psychology, intimacy can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Jealousy refers to the feeling of possessiveness or protectiven… #
Related terms include trust, security, and attachment. In evolutionary psychology, jealousy can serve as a mechanism for protecting one's mate and relationship from potential threats.
Long #
Term Mating refers to the type of relationship characterized by long-term commitment and investment in a partner, often accompanied by feelings of love, trust, and attachment. Related terms include monogamy, pair-bonding, and marriage. In evolutionary psychology, long-term mating can serve as a strategy for increasing reproductive success and stability in relationships.
Love refers to the complex mix of emotions , behaviors , and… #
Related terms include romantic love, companionate love, and unconditional love. In social psychology, love can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Lust refers to the intense physical or sexual desire for a… #
Related terms include attraction, desire, and infatuation. In evolutionary psychology, lust can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Mate Selection refers to the process by which individuals choose a… #
Related terms include attraction, dating, and courtship. In evolutionary psychology, mate selection can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Monogamy refers to the practice of having only one mate at… #
Related terms include long-term mating, pair-bonding, and marriage. In evolutionary psychology, monogamy can serve as a strategy for increasing reproductive success and stability in relationships.
Needs refer to the basic requirements or desires that indiv… #
Related terms include motivations, drives, and goals. In social psychology, needs can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Nonverbal Communication refers to the process by which individuals con… #
Related terms include verbal communication, active listening, and effective communication. In social psychology, nonverbal communication can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Pair #
Bonding refers to the process by which individuals form and maintain a long-term monogamous relationship, often characterized by feelings of love, trust, and attachment. Related terms include long-term mating, monogamy, and commitment. In evolutionary psychology, pair-bonding can serve as a strategy for increasing reproductive success and stability in relationships.
Passion refers to the intense emotional or physical desire… #
Related terms include lust, attraction, and infatuation. In evolutionary psychology, passion can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Personality refers to the unique characteristics or traits … #
Related terms include temperament, character, and individuality. In social psychology, personality can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Physical Attraction refers to the process by which individuals are dra… #
Related terms include sexual attraction, lust, and infatuation. In evolutionary psychology, physical attraction can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Power Dynamics refer to the imbalance or inequality in power</b… #
Related terms include dominance, submission, and manipulation. In social psychology, power dynamics can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Relationship Maintenance refers to the process by which individuals wo… #
In social psychology, relationship maintenance can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Romantic Love refers to the type of love characterized by inten… #
Related terms include companionate love, infatuation, and lust. In evolutionary psychology, romantic love can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Self #
Disclosure refers to the process by which individuals share and reveal personal information about themselves to a partner, often influencing the depth and intimacy of a relationship. Related terms include trust, vulnerability, and communication. In social psychology, self-disclosure can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Sexual Attraction refers to the process by which individuals are drawn… #
Related terms include physical attraction, lust, and infatuation. In evolutionary psychology, sexual attraction can serve as a mechanism for selecting high-quality mates and increasing reproductive success.
Social Exchange Theory refers to the framework that explains how individu… #
Related terms include reinforcement, punishment, and exchange. In social psychology, social exchange theory can provide insights into the mechanisms underlying human relationship maintenance and termination.
Trust refers to the state of being confident or faithful in… #
In evolutionary psychology, trust can serve as a signal of mate value and investment in a relationship, and can increase relationship satisfaction and stability.
Uncertainty refers to the state of being unsure or ambivalent</… #
Related terms include ambiguity, unclear expectations, and mixed signals. In social psychology, uncertainty can play a significant role in determining an individual's relationship satisfaction, trust, and overall well-being.
Vulnerability refers to the state of being open or susceptible<… #
Related terms include trust, dependence, and intimacy. In evolutionary psychology, vulnerability can serve as a signal of mate value and investment in a relationship, and can increase relationship satisfaction and stability.