Interpersonal Attraction and LOVE

Liking, Loving, Leaving and Hating: Backmans Model of Relationships

Stage 1: From no contact to unilateral awareness
The key importance of propinquity Additional factors
Cultural restraints Familial restraints Individual factors (sexuality, disability, etc)

Backmans 4 Stages (cont.)

Stage 2: Sampling and estimation
Begins with first impressions Then comes identity bargaining (impression management) The comes the compromise process
Prospectives are usually similar in race, age, class, etc. Prospectives are similar in physical atttractiveness

Normative Constraints can re-emerge at this stage.

Backmans 4 Stages (cont.)

Stage 3: Social Penetration
Self-disclosure Interdependence Emotional convergence
Changes in self-attributions: We instead of I Reinforcement and learning: partners train one another

Backmans 4 Stages (end)

Stage 4: Relationships are maintained, or relationships dissolve. Why?
Changes in costs and rewards
Individual: I am more successful than you now! Relational: Were bored with one another Situational: I cant support you financially anymore Cultural: Its okay for me to work outside the home now! Reciprocity Questioning of motives Going public Unequal involvement

Interpersonal Processes leading to termination