Chapter 11

Question 1

attraction to averageness: the 1 exception

Answer 1

Bodies: people are not more attracted to the “average” body (like we are for face) - different cultures tend to be attracted to different body types (ie. thin in Western culture, larger in Africa), and these preferences change over time (ie. in the past, heavier women were seen as more attractive)

Question 2

friendship in collectivistic cultures

Answer 2

In collectivistic cultures, friendships are centered around providing advice (even if unsolicited); friendship groups are also smaller since there’s higher obligation to your friends

Question 3

enemies in collectivistic cultures

Answer 3

• Enemies: those who are wishing for your downfall or who are trying to sabotage you
• People in collectivistic societies like Ghana view themselves as having more enemies
• • Why? Those with independent self-concepts see themselves as disconnected from others, so the only reason you’d form a connection is because you want to → don’t have enemies because you can just distance yourself from people you don’t like

Question 4

high vs. low relational mobility

Answer 4

• High relational mobility: relational ties are flexible and opportunities for new relationships are available, so they feel they can find new relationships if needed and not be bound by old relationships; relationships are mutual and voluntary
• • Common for those with independent views of self
• Low relational mobility: few perceived opportunities to form new relationships, continue to be guided by their past relationships (still feel obligated/committed); relationships are unconditional
• • Common for those with interdependent views of self

Question 5

Halo effect

Answer 5

attractive people can get away with more things (“tyranny of the beautiful”) because we tend to believe attractive people have other good qualities as well

Question 6

residential mobility

Answer 6

• How physically mobile one is/how often they change their place of residence –> higher in America
• • Americans with high residential mobility show more conditional loyalty, have more Facebook friends, and view their personality as more central to their identity (compared to group memberships), and prefer national chain stores

Question 7

sympatico

Answer 7

relational style emphasizing maintaining harmonious relationships and expressing graciousness, hospitality, and personal harmony

Question 8

romantic love and idealizing your partner

Answer 8

• Romantic love can be seen as somewhat problematic in cultures with strong extended family ties as it may impede peoples’ willingness to comply with their kin members’ wishes
• Idealizing your partner (viewing them unrealistically positively compared to other people) is critical in the experience of romantic love and successful relationships (protects you from thinking about your partner’s unlovable characteristics)
• • Idealizing your relationships is significantly more common amongst European-Canadians, slightly more common Asian-Canadians, and less common amongst Japanese people

Question 9

Western beliefs about love (and opposing views)

Answer 9

• You can only love someone you choose yourself
• • Opposite: you will likely fall in love with someone who is chosen for you over time
• It is an individualistic choice → since you’re a unique person, you can only love someone you connect with in a unique way
• • Opposite: it’s a collective choice since it involves the blending of 2 families
• Marriages without love at the foundation are bound to be miserable
• • Opposite: arranged marriages more likely to stay together and are equally as satisfied