gain–loss theory

a theory of interpersonal attraction stating that people’s like (or dislike) for another person is more strongly affected by the degree to which they believe they have gone up (or down) in that individual’s estimation than by the unvarying degree to which they think they are attractive (or unattractive) to that person. [first studied in 1965 by U.S. psychologists Elliot Aronson (1932– ) and Darwyn E. Linder (1939– )]

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

morals

pl. n. the ethical values or principles that people use to guide their behavior. See also moral; morality.