Downloaded 16 times
Uploaded byMatt Sanders
FW220- Social Connections
This document discusses relationships and social connections. It covers healthy personal relationships including family, friends, and intimate partners. Maintaining relationships requires a healthy sense of self and the ability to balance time alone with time spent with others. Friendships provide social support and buffer against stress. Successful partnerships are built on mutual respect, good communication, shared interests, and the ability to handle conflicts constructively. The document also examines attraction, love, gender roles, sexual orientation, and different types of committed relationships including marriage, cohabitation, and divorce.
More Related Content
Similar to FW220- Social Connections
FW220- Social Connections
- 1. Chapter 3 Social Connections 1Copyright© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 2. Healthy Personal Relationships • Relationshipsare at the heart of human experience – Family – Community – Classmates, teammates, colleagues – Acquaintances, friends, intimate partners • Relationships are fraught with difficulties – Divorce – Single-parent and blended families – Living alone – Electronic connections 2Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 3. A Healthy Senseof Self • Relationships begin with who you are as an individual and what you bring to the relationship • Examples of important attributes are: – A reasonably high self-esteem – A capacity for empathy – The ability both to be alone and to be with others 3Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 4. 4Copyright © 2015McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 5. Friendships and Other Kindsof Relationships • Friendship is a reciprocal relationship based on mutual liking and caring, respect and trust, interest and companionship – Considered longer-lasting and more stable compared to romantic relationships – Offers a psychological and emotional buffer against stress, anxiety, and depression • Networks that provide social support also increase one’s sense of self-worth 5Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 6. Strengths of Successful Partnerships •Intimate relationships have similarities to friendships, but also other qualities – More exclusive – Deeper levels of connection and caring – Sexual component 6Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 7. Strengths of Successful Partnerships •Independence and maturity • Self-esteem and mutual respect • Good communication • Open expression of sexual affection and respect • Enjoy spending time together in leisure activities • Acknowledge strengths and failings • Assertive and flexible in wants and needs • Handle conflict constructively • Friends as well as lovers; unselfish caring • Good family and friend relationships • Shared spiritual values 7Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 8. Attraction • People seemto use a systematic screening process when deciding if someone could be a potential partner • Factors that promote attraction are: – Proximity or familiarity – Physical attractiveness – Similar characteristics, including values and attitudes 8Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 9. The Process ofFinding a Partner: Dating and More • Indirectness is not an effective strategy – People who are straightforward and respectful in developing a relationship are more likely to get a positive response • Partners are often found through social connections • The Internet is playing a larger role – Enlarges the pool of potential partners – Online social networking – Importance of caution: How much do you really know about the person? 9Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 10. What Is Love? •Similarity theory is based on the concept that we fall in love with people who are similar to us in important ways • Social exchange theory suggests that falling in love and choosing a partner are based on the exchange of “commodities’” – Love, status, property, services 10Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 11. The Course ofLove • Beginning stages of falling in love can feel like a roller coaster – “Lovesick” • Increased levels of dopamine – Arousal of sympathetic nervous system • Subsides as lovers become habituated to each other 11Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 12. Sternberg’s Love Triangle • Sternberg’stheory: love has three dimensions – Intimacy, passion, and commitment • Different combinations produce different kinds of love 12Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 13. Sternberg’s Love Triangle 13Copyright ©2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 14. Nonverbal Behavior and Metamessages •Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, body position and movement, and spatial behavior • Nonverbal and verbal communication cues make up the metamessage, or the unspoken message you send or get when communicating 14Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 15. Building Communication Skills • Whenyou speak, know your feelings, motives, and intentions • Use “I” statements – “I feel…when you…” vs. “You make me feel…” • As a listener, give the other person time and space • Good communication skills help make conflict constructive • Assertiveness: speaking up for yourself without violating someone else’s rights • Gender differences in communication patterns can significantly impact relationships 15Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 16. Gender Differences in Communication 16Copyright© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 17. Sex and Gender •Sex is a person’s biological status as a male or female • Intersex is a condition in which the genitals are ambiguous at birth • Gender refers to masculine or feminine behaviors and characteristics considered appropriate in a particular culture 17Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 18. Gender Roles and GenderIdentities • Gender role is a set of behaviors and activities a person engages in to conform to society’s expectations – Androgynous is the term applied to a person who displays characteristics or performs tasks traditionally associated with both sexes • Gender identity is an internal sense of being male or female • Gender dysphoria: individuals who experience discomfort with their sex – Transgender: having a sense of identity as a male or female that conflicts with one’s biological sex 18Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 19. Sexual Orientation • Sexualorientation refers to the emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to a member of the same sex, the other sex, or both – Exists along a continuum • Influenced by a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and societal factors – Heterosexuality: emotional and sexual attraction to members of the other sex – Homosexuality: emotional and sexual attraction to members of the same sex – Bisexuality: emotional and sexual attraction to both sexes 19Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 20. Committed Relationships and LifestyleChoices • Marriage • Gay and lesbian partnerships • Cohabitation • Divorce • Blended families • Singlehood 20Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 21. Marriage • Both alegal union and a contract between the couple and the state • Age at first marriage has risen • Benefits for both individual and society • Important predictor of successful marriage: positive reasons for getting married • Characteristics of successful or unsuccessful marriage typically present before marriage • Men more likely to have a sexual affair; women more likely to end a bad marriage by having an affair 21Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 22. Gay and Lesbian Partnerships •Same-sex couples have same desire for intimacy, companionship, passion and commitment in relationships – Frequently have valuable relationship skills: • Flexible role relationships • Ability to adapt to a partner • Ability to negotiate and share decision-making • Effective parenting skills • Homophobia: irrational fear of homosexuality and homosexuals • Gay marriage hot political topic – As of November 2013, legal in 14 states 22Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 23. Cohabitation • Cohabitation iswhen two people of the opposite sex live together as unmarried partners – Increased tenfold since 1960s – More than 60 percent of marriages preceded by cohabiting relationship 23Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 24. Divorce • Forty tofifty percent of first marriages end in divorce – Challenges of married life – Insufficient problem-solving skills – Lack of commitment – Unrealistic expectations – Unsuitable choice of mate • Leading cause of poverty • Especially hard on children – Best served by continuing contact with both parents, as long as parents get along 24Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 25. Divorce Rates byEthnic Group 25Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 26. Keeping Your Relationships Strongand Vital • Cohesion: the dynamic balance between separateness and togetherness in both couple and family relationships • Relationships are strongest when there is a balance between intimacy and autonomy • Flexibility: the dynamic balance between stability and change • Communication is the tool that partners and families use to adjust levels of cohesion or flexibility when change is needed 26Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 27. Communities • Community: groupof people connected in a way that transcends casual attachment – Typically, shared common goals and sense of belonging • Being active in a community is likely to have a positive impact on health • Positive relationships within a community are essential to personal health and growth – Improve self-esteem – Improve social capital: sharing and exchanging of resources 27Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 28. Community Starts Within •Fulfilling community participation requires an understanding of your beliefs, and how you fit into a particular community • Value system: guidelines for how you want to live your life; map that provides structure for decision making – Values: set of criteria for judging what is good and bad that underlies moral principles and behavior – Purpose • Meaning in life comes from using one’s strengths to serve a larger end – Goals • When you identify and pursue personal goals, you take responsibility for yourself and your life 28Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 29. Finding a CommunityThat Works for You • Religious and spiritual communities – Spirituality: experience of connection to self, others, and community at large, providing sense of purpose and meaning – Spiritually connected people stay healthier and live longer – Spiritual connectedness is associated with high levels of health-related quality of life • Social activism and the global community – Social causes can unite people from diverse backgrounds for a common good – Peace Corps; Habitat for Humanity; Greenpeace; Clowns Without Borders; others? 29Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
- 30. Finding a CommunityThat Works for You • Volunteering – People who give time, money, support to others are likely to be more satisfied with their lives – One-on-one contact and direct involvement are key to positive effects • Service learning – Meant to teach how to take the risk of getting involved in the lives of others • The arts – Embracing diverse cultures past and present; expressing inner thoughts and feelings • Internet communities 30Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.