What This Document Is
This is a study guide designed to help students prepare for the final exam in Social Psychology (PSY 351) at California State University, Long Beach. It focuses on key concepts related to attraction, relationships, and associated theories. It’s intended as a review tool, not a replacement for lectures, readings, or full engagement with course materials.
Why This Document Matters
This guide is valuable for students nearing the end of the semester who need a concentrated review of the material covered in the attraction and relationships unit. It’s most useful when used *after* completing assigned readings and attending lectures, serving as a way to consolidate understanding and identify areas needing further study. It exists to help students efficiently prepare for the final exam.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This study guide provides an overview of topics but does not offer in-depth explanations or original research. It won’t teach you the material if you haven’t already engaged with it. It also doesn’t include practice questions or detailed examples beyond those provided. It is a condensed review and does not encompass the entirety of the course content.
What This Document Provides
This guide includes summaries of:
* The anatomy of attraction, including stigmas, coattails, and the mere-exposure effect.
* The matching hypothesis and evolutionary psychology perspectives on attraction (male vs. female).
* A discussion of love versus relationship qualities, including the role of dopamine, commitment (and oxytocin), intimacy, and dyadic adjustment.
* Models of relationship development, including increasing/decreasing reciprocity and the shift from exchange to communal relationships.
* The importance of shared attitudes and cognitive interdependence in relationships.
* Concepts of Comparison Level and Comparison Level of Alternatives.
This preview does *not* include detailed explanations of research studies, practice exam questions, or a comprehensive list of all terms covered in the course. It also does not include information on topics beyond attraction and relationships.