Study Psychology Online | Certificate Course
- Online psychology course | 6 modules | 3 core + 3 elective modules | Choose modules to suit you.
- Topics include Adolescent Psychology | Marketing | Child Psychology | Mental Health Etc.
- Start anytime | Work at your own pace | No deadlines.
- Feedback and Support from University educated | Highly experienced psychologists and tutors.
- Assessments include written assignments, practical exercises, individual research.
- Psychology is a useful qualification across many careers | Business | Education | Care | Childcare | Marketing etc.
Modules
Note that each module in the Qualification - Certificate In Psychology is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
How are human relationships formed?
There are a number of reasons why we form social and intimate relationships and why they sometimes fail. Most of them are related to our perceptions, which in turn can be affected by a range of other factors, such as our socio-economic or cultural background, gender, education, social learning, personality, experience and so on. The key influences on relationship formation that have been identified by psychologists are briefly discussed below.
Attractiveness
Physical attractiveness plays a vital role in relationship formation, particularly in the early stages. Research shows that we tend to be attracted to physically attractive people, yet we tend to end up in close relationships with people who are of a similar level of attractiveness to ourselves. Perhaps we are more comfortable with someone who is not too much more or less attractive that we are.
While attractive people tend to receive more positive responses, in a wide range of situations, very attractive people can suffer from low self-esteem due to the fact that many people only relate to them on a surface level. Also, it appears that physical attractiveness during youth bears no correlation to happiness in later life.
Closeness
Proximity tends to have a positive influence on attraction. Those who spend much time together, such as at work, are more likely to form a relationship than those who go to a bar in the hope of meeting someone. Proximity bears no relation on the quality of the relationship, however.
Similarity
Research has consistently found that perceived similarities in terms of such things as age, interests, personality, and education are a good indicator of increased attraction in both short and long-term relationships. Most significant have been findings with regard to similarities of attitudes, beliefs and values (Byrne et al., 1986). Other research (Cattell and Nesselrode, 1967) has shown that those with more similar personalities are likely to have more successful partnerships
Sometimes people fool themselves into thinking that many similarities exist where they don’t. The relationship counsellor can work on these areas.
Influence of Others
Most studies have been inconclusive with regard to similarities in the someone else (eg. client and counsellor, teacher, leader, etc) who may be facilitating relationships on the dimension of age, sex and ethnicity, and therapy outcomes. The only significant findings have been with regard to similarities in values. Here, studies have shown a positive outcome on therapeutic results for such things as wisdom, intellectual pursuits, honesty and knowledge. It may be because these values are humanistic pertaining to the upkeep of social order.
Certain discrepancies in values between the client and leader or counsellor have also been associated with positive therapeutic outcomes. These have been with regard to social status and friendships and it has been supposed that the reason for this is due to the fact that these are often the issues for which the client is seeking help.
Emergence of Relationships
It has been suggested that as relationships develop there are a number of stages. These stages are not necessarily obvious, nor do they have to be rigid.
Sampling
The individual screens out those that are not in the picture, usually on the basis of superficial information. The need for different types of relationships means that people may be included in one type of relationship and excluded from others.
Bargaining
This is continuous and involves an initial formation of an acquaintanceship followed by an assessment of potential pros and cons.
Commitment
This is mutual recognition that the relationship exists, and there is public or private expression.
Institutionalisation
The relationship may be formalized, e.g. through marriage.
As relationships develop, there is also an increase in the following:
- Intensity of like or love.
- Depth and breadth of information exchanged.
- Actual and expected length of the relationship.
- Value of resources exchanged - each person invests more resources in the relationship, and analyses their inputs and outputs, and possibly compare the relationship to other relationships.
- Inter-changeability of resources.
- Togetherness…tendency to define themselves as a unit to the outside world.
Who Should Study This Course?
This course is an in depth study of psychology and is ideal for anyone wanting to study psychology at a time and location to suit you. The course is self-paced and you can study when, and where, you want to.
It is ideal for anyone who wants to understand more about human beings at work, at home and at play - so really, anyone at all!
Any Questions?
