HOW I
MET YOUR MOTHER
A Research Paper Presented to
English Resource Center
School of Accountancy and
Business
Asia Pacific College
Magallanes, Makati City
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements of the
Course
RESWRIT – Research Writing
RESWRIT – Research Writing
Lemuel A. Aquino
December 2013
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
A.
Background of the Study
“How I
Met Your Mother” is a popular sit-com that represents much of what an average
person wants in their desired partner. Although they are all good friends, the
main characters of the show each, respectively, represent what different people
want in their relationships. Also it shows accurate dating scenes that can be
compared to real life dating scenes.
In one of
the episodes of How I Met Your Mother,” Ted Mosby fall in love with Robin
Scherbatsky in an instant after seeing her across the room. It shows how “Love
at First Sight” affects the human psychologically. “Love at First Sight”.
Perhaps, it is the most romantic thing that can happen to anyone. It makes
people lose their heart and mind within a matter of several seconds. But in the
previous study that have conducted about “love at first sight”, psychologist
claims that “Love at First Sight” depends on our psychological state at the
very moment. Also they say we need approximately 30 seconds to fall in love or,
to be more precise, to establish whether the person is attractive, and a
potential mate. (http://www.enotalone.com/relationships/19302.html )
Also in one of the episodes of “How
I Met Your Mother,” Ted Mosby tried long distance relationship even though he
and his friends know that t won't work. They sex that it won't work because
it’s “All talk but No Sex.” In the previous studies, researchers claim that
there are several reasons why a long distance relationship does not work. First
is the "Communication Breakdown", he said that if both parties are
used to being one another's presence it might become increasingly disheartening
to communicate in less personal way as time goes on. Second is the "Lack
of Trust",long distance relationship may collapse under the weight of suspicion
or in a misguided effort to protect your heart, you may decide to make some bad
decisions of your own. Third is "Time vs Returns, as more time passes, the
distant object of your affections can begin to seem like something abstract and
less than real. An e-mail in your inbox isn't the same as having someone nearby
who can help you in person, who can share your day with you, and who can create
new memories with you. Fourth is the "Separation Issues", Of course,
physical separation will almost always result in an initial sense of increased
anxiety and unhappiness. Often, the hurt feelings fade away and the
relationship recovers, even at a distance. On the other hand, these feelings
can also contribute to a sharp deterioration of the relationship, which is now
measured in miles instead of shared dreams. Lastly "Different
Expectations", "Long-distance relationship" can mean different
things to different people. It may mean "heart-wrenching tragedy" to
one person, while for the other partner it means "year-long vacation".
(http://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/advice/10-reasons-long-distance-relationships-dont-work.htm )
Also in the previous studies about
long distance relationship. It shows the statistics of long distance
relationship's break up rate. According to the researchers, the rate of break
up over 3 months is 21% to close relationship and 37% to long distance
relationship, over 6 months 30% to close relationship and 27% to long distance
relationship and for over 1 year the rate of break up is 25% to close
relationship and 8% to long distance relationship. (http://www.longdistancerelationships.net/faqs.htm )
Although “How I Met Your Mother”
shows accurate real life dating scenarios. There is this one character named
“Barney Stinson” the great womanizer of show, the ladies-man of the group, the
man who knows everything about girls and how to live life to the fullest.
However in the show he is always stating about some made up social rules and
social theories like: Bros Before Hoes, The Platinum Rule, The Mermaid Theory,
Crazy-Hot Scale and The Cheerleader effect. But based on my observation his
made up social rules and social theories have scientific basis and are proven
facts.
Both psychologists and researchers
are studying how social theories, the often-unspoken rules of a group, shape
not just our behavior but also our attitudes towards others. This so called
social rules and social theories influence even those preferences considered
private, such as what music we like or what policies we support. Interventions
that take advantage of already-existing group pressures, the thinking goes,
should be able to shift attitudes and change behaviors at less cost.
People have different perspective
towards other people. And it affects how they interact with them and their
attitude and behavior towards other. Therefore having knowledge in this social
theories and social rules will add information on how mere interaction changes
the attitude and behaviors of people to others.
Instead of dealing with the long
process of experimenting social behaviors this study focuses on the social
rules and that have been proven facts.
B. Statement of the Problem
This study aims to
answer this question:
1. How do Barney Stinson’s rules and
theories affect people’s perspective towards other?
C. Significance of the Study
College Students major in Human Ecology and Psychology Courses. This research paper
would able to help students in college who are taking up courses such as Human
Ecology and Psychology because studying human relations and what they are
thinking is in line with their specialization. Moreover giving more emphasis on
the study of social rules and social theories, more students in the
aforementioned field would be more interested to make similar studies.
Teachers and Professors of Psychology and Human Ecology. Teachers and professors
of psychology and human ecology would benefit from this study because they
would be able to make use of this information imparted with this research in
preparing lesson plans and experiments for their students.
Viewers. The viewers of the show would benefit from this research paper
because they would know how to socialize better with others and also the reason
why people tend to change their attitude and behavior towards others.
Future Researchers. This study is crucial for the future researchers
to make similar studies that have already been conducted. This might serve as
their guidelines for their future experiment and studies.
D. Scope and Delimitation
This study focuses
on the social rules and social theories used in the sit-com “How I Met Your
Mother.” Everybody has different taste and perspective towards other. Also
people interact and behave differently towards others. It also emphasizes that
different people have different wants in their different relationships.
E. Materials and Methods
This research employs a descriptive
and connecting method since the researchers aim to describe and discuss what
are the different social rules and social theories. Also it connects it to the
people who have already experienced it and currently experiencing it.
Information relevant to the study
was gathered from various references such as articles and online sources.
F. Definition of Terms
Bros Before Hoes. This term is a commonly referred to section of the
"unwritten" "Man code" which refers to Men putting their
friends or "brothers" before women.
The Platinum Rule. It says that "Never ever ever ever love
your neighbors and it means (friends, co-workers, neighbors and any other that
you can see often).
The Mermaid Theory. At first you don't like the mermaid because of its physical
appearance but then as time goes by the more you see that mermaid the more you
are attracted to it.
Crazy-Hot
Scale. A girl
is allowed to be crazy, as long as she is equally hot.
The
Cheerleader Effect. Women
in groups look more attractive than when they are pulled out an examined
individually. “They seem hot, but only as a group.
Chapter 2
DISCUSSION
How do Barney Stinson’s rules and
theories affect people's perspective towards other?
1. Bros Before
Hoes.
Bros before hoes is
the "unwritten"
"Man code" which refers to Men putting their friends or
"brothers" before women.
According to Miss
Cellania’s “Bros Before Hoes in Masculinity (2002).” Bros before hoes in feminism
that even if there are some men who can accept equality among men and women,
but the majority of men will never fully endorse women’s equality. This is not
because most men are pigs looking to degrade women; it is because of the
concept of the paradox of men’s power. “Any
men feel in control when they have the support of their fraternity of brothers.
Most men are not willing to let their brothers down by siding with
pro-feminists.”
In
one of the episodes of “How I Met Your Mother” Barney said that he can't do
this without his best bro Ted Mosby “Ted were the dynamic duo if you’re not
coming with then I'm just the dynamic uno and what’s fun with that” this shows
that barney can't move alone without his bro. Also Ted, Marshall and Barney
think that they are superior over women in one of the episodes they said to
Marshall's fiancé Lily that “Men are talking so please.”
2.
Platinum Rule
The platinum rule as Barney Stinson discussed it, t says that "Never ever ever ever love your
neighbors and he means (friends, co-workers, neighbors and any other that you
can see often).
According to Suzie Robb’s “People
You Should Never Date (2004).” First is the "Family Friend" your
families will constantly meddling and you'll always sort of feel like dating
your cousin. Second is "A Co worker" You’ll see each other for
40 hours per week at work and if it doesn't work out, every second of
which will be horribly awkward. Third is "Your Personal
Trainer" You are paying your trainer to get you into shape so that
you can feel better about yourself, meet new people, and look better than
others. Yes, spending two-three hours together per week could translate
into a friendship and possibly dating. Date your trainer at your own risk and
canceling gym routines can be a pain in the ass and you’ll likely never find
another trainer that can take to 150lb to 100lb in two weeks. Fourth is
"Your Ex" So, you run into an ex at a party. You both
look great. You’re both single. You have a couple drinks and the familiarity
comes rushing back to you. “Same jokes.
Same chemistry. Same horrible reasons why you broke up. If
it didn't work out the first time, surely it won’t work out the
second time.” Fifth is "Your Roommate" it is a waste if you
paid in the rent in advance and it’s non refundable because it’s hard to live
with your roommate if your roommate is your ex. And lastly is "Your
Neighbor" Sure, you don’t live together, it’s not nearly as bad.
However, you will still see this person every morning.
In one of the episodes of “How I Met
Your Mother” the gang
forbid Barney for dating Wendy the waitress because they somehow might lose the
bar that they want. But Barney insisted because he thinks that it would be
convenient to date a waitress, it’s a free beer every time. We all know
Barney, eventually he doesn't want to be in a relationship yet Wendy is hooked
to Barney. That's why every single time Barney go to the bar there would be an
awkward feeling that Wendy might sabotage his and his friends food.
3.
The Mermaid Theory
The mermaid theory as Barney Stinson explained it, “t first
you don't like the mermaid because of its physical appearance but then as time
goes by the more you see that mermaid the more you are attracted to it.”
According to Dr. Dylan Selerman's “Mere Exposure and the Mermaid
Theory (1992).” Psychologists discovered that simply being close in physical
proximity to another person increases liking and attractiveness for that
person. An example of which are those college students that uses COED dorms or
in the school classroom or in a school department, they tend to like familiar
person that they can see regularly than those people that are mere strangers to
them even without actual confrontation or communication with one another.
Scientist call these the "Mere
Exposure" effect. “The more time spent together or near someone, the
more people feel that they know or trust that person more and feel comfortable
being around him/her. This feeling of familiarity contributes to attraction.”
I would relate it to the unusual relationship with Ted and
Zoey shown in one of the episodes of “How I Met Your Mother”. Despite their
initial hatred feelings towards each other. (it’s because Zoey tried to
sabotage Ted's dream job) and despite the fact Zoey was married to the Captain,
the two of them eventually came to a conclusion and express their feelings of
love that seemed to have come out of nowhere. Maybe because of their time spent
together as friends led to increase the attraction and intimacy to one another
despite of all the hatred each of one does to each other.
Also
According to M.Farouk Radwan, Msc. “Mere Exposure
Effect Psychology (2006).” “Psychologist
claims that the more we get to be
exposed to someone or something the more we tend to like it. The mere exposure
effect is applicable for both people and objects.” If you saw an object many times or a picture
of it you will think that it will be more likable than the other object or
picture that you didn't see that much. When you see a person more often you
think that he/she is more likable than a stranger that you just saw or someone
you see less often. And the reason why we find people we see often or regularly
more attractive is that familiarity creates likability. According to the mere
exposure effect theory people who see you often will think that you are more
attractive than the people they don't encounter often. And most people fall in
love with someone they see often and certainly the main reason behind that is
the mere exposure effect.
For
example Advertisers are aware of this facts and that's why they depend on
the psychology of the mere exposure effect to make you like their product even
more. Advertisers display their ads every now and then in order to make
you become more familiar with their products and as you become familiar with
the product you tend to like it. People are more likely to try something
they are familiar with than taking the risk of trying something they know
nothing about. It feels more comfortable to go for a well known brand then to
buy something that is unfamiliar.
4. Crazy-Hot Scale
Barney Stinson
defined his crazy-hot scale as “A girl is allowed to be crazy, as long as she
is equally hot.”
According to M.Farouk Radwan, Msc “Physical
Attraction Psychology (2006).” He stated that “there are certain features that are considered universally attractive
by most people still each and every person perceive beauty according to his own
desires.”
What features do
most people consider attractive?
First is waist to hip ratio, even if
you deny it I think most of us are more attracted to women with an hour glass
body shape. Second is Symmetry, it was found that symmetrical faces are
considered more attractive than non symmetrical faces across all cultures.
Third is Health, Researches has shown that the more healthy the person is the
better his looks will be and the more attractive he will appear to be. Fourth
is the Height, Many studies revealed that the majority of women prefer to date
men who are taller than them but according to psychology beauty is in the eye
of the beholder and that's why you might find many women dating shorter men.
Fifth are Feminine facial features: Men prefer women who have feminine facial
features over other women.
Women on the other hand prefer men
with feminine facial features when they are not fertile and prefer men who have
more masculine features when they are fertile. Sixth is well built, women
prefer well built men (not necessary body builders). Women prefer men who have
wider shoulders and narrow waists with minimal belly fat. And lastly jaws and
cheek bones, women prefer men who have relatively bigger jaws and more
prominent cheek bones since they both give a more masculine look to the man.
Also
According
to Dr. Sadie Leder's “Attractiveness stereotype (2000).” He claims that “beautiful people are believed to be better
on a number of points of view and are thus treated accordingly.” For most
of us, this happens outside of our awareness and interestingly, even young
children show these preferences and biases. Like it or not, one of the most
influential factors in romantic attraction is physical attractiveness.
That’s right, hotness!
Psychologists’ refer to this beauty bias as the “attractiveness stereotype,”
and for decades they’ve shown that people have a tendency to assume that those
who are physically attractive are not only desirable because they’re hot, but
also because they are believed to possess a number of other socially desirable
traits.
5. The Cheerleader Effect
The Cheerleader
effect is a theory put forth by How
I Met Your Mother’s Barney Stinson positing that women in groups look
more attractive than when they are pulled out an examined individually. “They
seem hot, but only as a group.”
According
to Dustin Rowles’ “Barney Stinson’s Cheerleader Effect’ from “How I Met Your
Mother” Is Real, Says Science (2013).” Also known as the Brides Maid Paradox
and the Sorority Girl Syndrome. Researchers claims that the visual system
automatically computes ensemble representations of faces presented in a group, individual
members of the group are biased toward this ensemble average and average faces
are attractive. Taken together, these phenomena suggest that individual faces
will seem more attractive when presented in a group because they will appear
more similar to the average group face, which is more attractive than group
members’ individual faces.
In
other words, when we see people in a group both men and women we tend to
average them out, and while “average” doesn’t sound like a compliment, in this
context, it works: “average faces are more attractive, likely due to the
averaging out of unattractive idiosyncrasies,” so says a study researcher from
the University of California, San Diego. “It
is not a huge swing, but the differences are statistically significant.”
Chapter 3
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY
This paper attempted to determine
how Barney Stinson’s rule and theories affects people’s perspective towards
other.
This research design used in this is
descriptive method and connecting method wherein the data from documents and
articles were used to answer the research question posed and connects it with
other people who have already experiencing it and currently experiencing it.
1. These rules and theories help people to
be more attracted to each other.
2. People tend to like familiar person,
the more time spent together with someone, the more people feel that they know or trust that person more
and feel comfortable being around him/her.
3. “Bros before Hoes” is not just a cliché
or an unwritten rule for guys, but instead it has a scientific basis on why people follow it.
4. People in group may deceive the
people’s perspective because they are more attractive in group than people individually.
CONCLUSION
Based
on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are drawn:
1. Barney Stinson’s rules and theories
have a significant scientific basis and are proven a fact by scientists and researchers.
2. Although,
these rules and theories are proven facts there are still factors that we need
to consider and that is our personal
preferences and biases.
3. These
rules and theories are also applicable to objects.
4. Not all
people that we spend more time with is datable.
RECOMMENDATION
After
drawing the conclusions of the study, the researchers hereby make the following
suggestions and recommendations:
1. In
analyzing a person’s perspective towards other people, it is better that one
has insights into the social rules
and social theories that have been discussed here to fully understand why
people change their behavior and
attitudes towards others.
2. Scholars
should conduct further research on how these rules and theories can be used in business.
References:
Margarita Nahapetyan “Love at First Sight” February 2, 2009. December
8, 2013 <http://www.enotalone.com/relationships/19302.html retrieved>
DA Keene “The "Hopeless" Romantic” May 21, 2013. December 8, 2013 <http://www.booksie.com/romance/article/da_keene/the-hopeless-romantic>
“We should All Be hopeless Romantic”
by Chelsea Fagan January 15, 2013. December 8, 2013 <http://thoughtcatalog.com/chelsea-fagan/2013/01/we-should-all-be-hopeless-romantics/>
Miss Cellania “Bros Before Hoes in Masculinity” October 7, 2002. December 10,
2013 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Bros-Before-Hoe%27s-In-Masculinity-39771769.html>
Suzie Robb “People You Should Never Date” July 26, 2012. December 10, 2013
<http://www.boobsbaconbourbon.com/2012/07/26/the-10-people-you-should-never-date-under-any-circumstances/>
Dr. Sadie Leder “Attractiveness Stereotype” April 29, 2011. December 14, 2013 <http://www.scienceofrelationships.com/home/2011/4/29/how-i-met-your-mother-mere-exposure-and-the-mermaid-theory.html>
M.Farouk Radwan, Msc. “Mere Exposure effect Psychology”
November 10, 2006. December 14, 2013 <http://www.2knowmyself.com/mere_exposure_effect_psychology>
M Farouk Radwan, Msc. “Physical Attraction Psychology”
February 6, 2006. December 14, 2013 <http://www.2knowmyself.com/physical_attraction_psychology>
Dustin Rowles “Barney
Stinson's “Cheerleader Effect” from “How I Met Your Mother” Is Real, Says
Science” November 1, 2013. December 16, 2013 <http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2013/11/barney-stinsons-cheerleader-effect-met-mother-real-says-science/>
