(a) To demonstrate how contemporary areas of interest in psychology further an understanding of human behaviour;
(b) to demonstrate the application of psychology to contemporary issues;
(c) to encourage students to appreciate, analyse and evaluate theories and research into contemporary topics in psychology.
The importance of attachment and the need for intimacy. Biological reasons for relationships. Factors affecting interpersonal attraction, including proximity, physical attractiveness, similarity and reciprocal liking.
Theories of how relationships develop, including social exchange theory and equity theory. Stages of development: awareness, surface contact and disclosure.
Key factors affecting self-disclosure, including gender differences, same gender and different-gender relationships.
Theories of love, including romantic and companionate love; triangular theory of love.
Choice of partner: heterosexuality bisexuality and homosexuality. Nature-nurture debate in relation to sexual orientation.
Separation and factors affecting breakdown in relationships, including poor communication, jealousy, sexual problems.
(a) Identify and outline two features of the triangular theory of love. (4 marks)
(b) Outline and briefly discuss one way in which knowledge of HIV transmission might influence a person's sexual behaviour. (4 marks)
(c) Discuss at least two factors affecting interpersonal attraction. Illustrate your answer with reference to empirical evidence. (12 marks)
(a) Using an example, explain the role of reciprocal liking in the formation of human relationships. (4 marks)
(b) Describe two factors which might affect self-disclosure in people's relationships. (4 marks)
(c) Discuss two theories of love. Refer to evidence in your answer. (12 marks)
(a) Outline one biological explanation for human relationships. (3 marks)
(b) Describe one study in which the role of proximity in interpersonal attraction was investigated. Include in your answer why the study was conducted, the method used, results obtained and conclusion drawn. (5 marks)
(c) Identify and discuss two factors which might contribute to the breakdown of human relationships. Refer to psychological theory and/or studies in your answer. (12 marks)
(a) Identify and desrcribe two features of a stage theory of relationship development. (4 marks)
(b) Outline and explain the relationship between gender and self-disclosure. (4 marks)
(c) Discuss at least two factors that have been shown to affect interpersonal attraction. Support your answer with reference to empirical evidence. (12 marks)
(a) With reference to the triangular theory of love, distinguish between two types of love. (3 marks)
(b) Outline and briefly discuss the role of similarity in interpersonal attraction. (5 marks)
(c) With reference to the nature-nurture debate, describe and discuss the role of nature in relation to sexual orientation. (12 marks)
(a) For each of the statements below, write in your answer book whether it is most likely to be an examle of a bisexual, heterosexual or homosexual relationship.
(i) James and his wife live together with their two children;
(ii) Maria and her female partner have a sexual relationship;
(iii) Andy has a sexual relationship with his male partner but also has a sexual relationship with his girlfriend. (3 marks)
(b) Describe one theory of how relationships develop. Give an example to illustrate your answer. (5 marks)
(c) Describe and discuss the triangular theory of love. (12 marks)
(a) Identify and outline two factors affecting interpersonal attraction (4 marks)
(b) With reference to the nature-nurture debate, explain why people choose a partner of the opposite sex. (4 marks)
(c) Tim and Samantha have been going out together for some time and have recently moved into a flat together. Tim is much better paid than Samantha and works longer hours, so she tends to do more of the housework. Because Tim earns more, he contributes more money to the household budget than Samantha.
Discuss the social exchange theory of relationship development. Refer to the example of Tim and Samantha in your answer. (12 marks)
(a) In the conext of the triangular theory of love, distinguish between romantic and companionate love (3 marks)
(b) Briefly discuss the role of disclosure in the development of relationships. (5 marks)
(c) Describe and discuss at least two factors affecting the breakdown of relationships. Refer to empirical evidence in your answer. (12 marks)