Scientific study of how relationships form has shown that, in the initial stages at least, this process more to do with self-interest and little to do with shared emotions.
Reward/Need satisfaction theory (BYRNE & CLORE): attracted to people who we find satisfying or gratifiying --> Principles of operant conditioning: repeat behaviour desirable outcome, avoid behaviour undesirable outcome --> therefore, enter relationships b/c individual associated w/direct reinforcement (i.e. +ve feelings) thus attractive --> Furthermore, attraction through association (classical conditioning) .. associate people w/pleasant event (i.e. saving of life)
SUPPORT from GRIFFIT & GUAY: if P's positively reinforced (good mark on test) rating for experimenter high
ARON offered physiological support for link b/twn reward & formation of R.R: intense romantic love associated w/elevated level activity in brain --> scientifically objective evidence = replicability, reliability & generalisability --> Adaptive value: brain reward system .. drive ancestors focus on courtship energy on specific individ.
CATE: reward level best predictors of relationship satisfaction
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