Parental affection and adult heterosexual relationship development

Affection and Its Impact on Adult Growth and Development

Affection is considered to be the characteristics of the human mind that is frequently connected with feelings and emotions of love. In terms of psychology, it is defined as an emotion or the state of mind, in which the human mind connects with another human mind on basis of love. Affection is known to influence adult behavior in terms of social interactions (Floyd, 2001a). It directs individuals to a particular behavior in order to express it. Theories related to adult growth and development theories assert that the affection, which the individual obtains from his or her parents during infancy, is known to influence their social interactions and affections they feel for others during their adulthood. Furthermore, affection is known to give positive emotions and behaviors.

Literature suggests that the term affection is difficult to understand. In this regard, several questions arise. What is affection? How it differs from individual to another? What it is nature? Is it genetic or based on gender? In this regard, Kory Floyd, introduced the Affection Exchange Theory, which seeks to discuss the role of affection in the development of relationships between partners and parents and their children. Based on the Affection Exchange Theory, it is believed that affection plays an important role in determining the level of affection in heterosexual relationships as adults (Floyd, 2001a). The aim of this research proposal is to discuss affection and its role in influencing human behavior and relationships in the lights of broad and diverse academic resources.

r-bl-m St.-t-m-nt

Past studied reveal that affection plays an important role in influencing adult heterosexual relations. It is believed that the level of affection, which the child gets from his or her parents, determines the level of affection in his or her interpersonal relationship as an adult. This study concentrates on investigating this issue.

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this research study would be to study the impact of level of affection, which the child gets from his or her parents on the level of affection, which he or she gives in his or her interpersonal relations.

bj?

t-v-s of the research

Following are the objectives of the research

1. What is Affection?

2. What is the nature of affection?

3. What is Affection Exchange Theory?

4. What is the significance of AET?

5. What is the relationship between the affection, which the child receives from his or her parents and the levels of affection, which he or she gives to his or her partner as an adult?

Background of the Study

In psychology, affection is considered to be an important term. From academic perspective, affection is termed as a mental affection, which comprises of wide ranging emotional manifestations (Floyd, 2001b). In order to understand the nature of affection is a dispute, which has not been resolved. Different psychologists and scientists have defined affection based on their experimentation and research. In order to determine its nature, several of the psychologists have conducted experimental studies in order to understand its nature. In this regard there are two views. From the first perspective, affection is a phenomenon that's exists in two states: positive and negative state (Tafoya, 2008a). However, this approach is considered to be weak in defining the complete nature of affection. From the second perspective, affection is defined as the sensation that has three traits, pleasurable, unpleasant and depression.

The two perspectives are diametrically opposite of one another and so far, no existing research is available two provide in depth explanations in terms of the two approaches. Affection is considered to be the characteristics of the human mind that is frequently connected with feelings and emotions of love. In terms of psychology, it is defined as an emotion or the state of mind, in which the human mind connects with another human mind on basis of love. Affection is known to influence adult behavior in terms of social interactions. It directs individuals to a particular behavior in order to express it (Tafoya, 2008a).

Theories related to adult growth and development theories assert that the affection, which the individual obtains from his or her parents during infancy, is known to influence their social interactions and affections they feel for others during their adulthood. Furthermore, affection is known to give positive emotions and behaviors. Literature suggests that the term affection is difficult to understand. In this regard, several questions arise. What is affection? How it differs from individual to another? What it is nature? Is it genetic or based on gender? In this regard, Kory Floyd, introduced the Affection Exchange Theory, which seeks to discuss the role of affection in the development of relationships between partners and parents and their children (Tafoya, 2008b). Based on the Affection Exchange Theory, it is believed that affection plays an important role in determining the level of affection in heterosexual relationships as adults.

Importance of Affection in Interpersonal Relations

Affection is considered to be an essential component in the development and growth of interpersonal relationships. Floyd et.al (2007a) sserts that "Affectionate expressions often serve as critical incidents by which relational development is ascertained, while their absence may be taken as evidence of disinterest or relational deterioration." Affection is considered to be trait, which is mostly linked with romantic relationships (Tafoya & Spitzberg, 2007). However, it should be noted that is also essential for family and friendships. The capability of an individual to communicate affection in relationships demonstrates the ability to decipher and decode affection behavior in a correct manner.

That is, without being able to discriminate between behaviors that connote affection and behaviors that connote hostility, aggression, or simply disinterest, humans would not only have difficulty forming and maintaining significant relationships but they would deprive themselves of the physical, emotional, and financial resources that accompany such relationships (Tafoya, 2008a).

In order to understand the nature of affection, this research would concentrate on understanding the impact of childhood affection, which the child receives from his or her parents on the level of affection, which he or she gives in his or her interpersonal relationships as an adult. In terms of understanding the levels of affection, different studies are available. The present study would concentrate on understanding this relation in the lights of affection exchange theory.

Floyd (2001a) asserts that "Like many forms of relational interaction, affectionate communication occurs within a host of individual, relational, and sociocultural priorities that operate at both proximal and ultimate levels of causation."

Felfman (2008) asserts that:

"Affection exchange theory conceives of affectionate communication as an evolved behavior that contributes to humans' superordinate motivations toward viability and fertility. Assumed in the theory is the Darwinian principle of selective fitness, whereby those organisms best adapted to the demands of their environments are most likely to survive and reproduce"

The theory explicitly concentrates on the level of communication of affection and the ability of the human to survive and reproduce. More particularly, it is believed that affection is beneficial for increasing the survival rate in humans as it concentrates on developing strong human pair bonds (Tafoya & Mongeau, 2008). It also assists in increasing the ability to reproduce. Higher levels of affection are known to increase this ability. Thirdly, the survival and reproduction ability assists in communicating affection in their children and thus, preparing them as fit and strong adults, who would prove to be suitable mates as adults (Tafoya, 2007).

Floyd (2001b) asserts that:

Affectionate communication is governed (according to AET) by adaptive motivations for parents to invest in their children in such a way as to maximize their children's reproductive success. In this way, affection functions as does any other resource parents invest in their children, including shelter, food, clothing, economic support, and emotional support.

It should be noted that a large part of this theory is traced back to the principles defined by Darwin. According to Darwin, reproduction and survival are two essential motivators for the existence of human beings (Tafoya & Spitzberg, 2007). Further study conducted by Floyd concentrated on understanding the relationship between fathers and their biological songs (Floyd et.al, 2007a). Studies demonstrated that parents were most likely to show affections to their sons, who were heterosexuals (Floyd, 2001b). The same study also demonstrated that fathers were likely to shown less affection if their sons were identified as bisexual and homosexual.

Generally, AET suggests that parents show more affection to children, who have the ability to pass and transfer the family genes (Tafoya & Spitzberg, 2007). The theory has widely been used to investigate the relations between fathers and sons in terms of sexuality and the impact of affection that the father gives to his son

(Tafoya, 2008b). Furthermore, the theory has also been used to study the impact of affection given by the father to his son on the level of affection he gives to his partner as an adult (Tafoya, 2007). The theory explicitly concentrates on the level of communication of affection and the ability of the human to survive and reproduce (Tafoya & Mongeau, 2008). More particularly, it is believed that affection is beneficial for increasing the survival rate in humans as it concentrates on developing strong human pair bonds. It also assists in increasing the ability to reproduce. Higher levels of affection are known to increase this ability (Floyd et.al, 2007b). Thirdly, the survival and reproduction ability assists in communicating affection in their children and thus, preparing them as fit and strong adults, who would prove to be suitable mates as adults (Floyd et.al, 2007a).

In the present study, the main concentration is to investigate adults who received a large amount of affection from their parents as children are more likely to have a higher level of affection towards their significant others compared to adults that did not receive much affection from their parents when they were children.

Research Methodology

Based on the nature of the study, correlative study has been proposed in order to investigate. Correlational studies concentrate on investigating the variables in their "natural environment and do not include researcher-imposed treatments." Furthermore, these studies "indicate that the research in question has been conducted after the variations in the independent variable have occurred naturally" (Felfman, 2008). This study would concentrate on studying the impact of independent variables on dependent variables. For this purpose, the study will concentrate on analyzing couples between the ages 20-35. Couples would be randomly selected.

Hypothesis Formulation

H1- relationship with parents during childhood is known to influence affection

H2- relationship with spouse after reaching adulthood is related to affection.

H3-level of intimacy is related to affection level communicated during childhood.

H4- feelings towards parents is related to affection

H5-feelings towards spouse or partner are related to affection.

Materials

In order to collect demographic data, a questionnaire would be designed. The questionnaire would concentrate on collecting data such as name, age, sex, occupation as well as their perception and opinion on the relationship with parents and relationship with their spouse. Based on the nature of the study, correlative study has been proposed in order to investigate. Correlational studies concentrate on investigating the variables in their "natural environment and do not include researcher-imposed treatments." Furthermore, these studies "indicate that the research in question has been conducted after the variations in the independent variable have occurred naturally"(Felfman, 2008). This study would concentrate on studying the impact of independent variables on dependent variables. The independent variables are as follows: (a) relationship with parents during childhood, (b) relationship with spouse after reaching adulthood, (c) level of intimacy, (d) level of affection, (e) feelings towards parents and (f) feeling towards spouse or partner.

Felfman (2008) asserts that:

"correlational studies examine the "extent to which differences in one characteristic or variable are related to difference in one or more other characteristics or variables. A correlation exists if, when one variable increases, another variable either increases or decreases in a somewhat predictable fashion" (p. 191).

All variables defined in this study would be calculated and determined by using Likert-type scale. This scale has 5 choices.

References:

Floyd, K. (2001, February). Elements of an affection exchange theory: Socioevolutionary paradigm for understanding affectionate communication. Paper presented to Western States Communication Association, Coeur d'Alene, ID.

Floyd, K. (2001). Human affection exchange I: Reproductive probability of men's affection with their sons. Journal of Men's Studies, 10, 39-50.

Tafoya, M.A. (2008, July). Sibling types: The influence of genetic relatedness on affectionate communication. Presented to International Association for Relationship Research, Providence, RI. (Competitively selected).

Tafoya, M.A. & Mongeau, P.A. (2008, July). How a disability influences perceptions of first date goals: Wheelchairs, activity levels, and sex differences. Presented to International Association for Relationship Research, Providence, RI. (Competitively selected).

Tafoya, M.A. (2008, July). Human affectionate exchange theory: Evidence of the benefits of communicating affection. Presented to International Society for Interpersonal Acceptance and Rejection, Crete, Greece. (Competitively selected).

Tafoya, M.A. (2007, May). Affectionate exchange: The salient nature of affectionate communication. Interpersonal Acceptance.

Floyd, K., Mikkelson, A.C., Tafoya, M.A., Farinelli, L., La Valley, A.G., Judd, J., Davis, K.L., Haynes, M.T., & Wilson, J. (2007). Human affection exchange: XIV. Relational affection predicts resting heart rate and free cortisol secretion during acute stress. Behavioral Medicine, 32(4), 151-156.

Floyd, K., Mikkelson, A.C., Tafoya, M.A., Farinelli, L., La Valley, A.G., Judd, J., Haynes, M.T., Davis, K.L., & Wilson, J. (2007). Human affection exchange: XIII. Affectionate communication accelerates neuroendocrine stress recovery. Health Communication, 22(2), 123-132.

Tafoya, M.A. & Spitzberg, B.H. (2007). Communicative Infidelity. In B.H. Spitzberg & W.R. Cupach (Eds.). The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication (2nd ed.), pp.199-242. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Feldman, Douglas. The Nature of Research. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2008. Print