Ch3: Attraction Flashcards
1
Q
attraction
A
the desire to approach someone
- we are attracted to others whose presence is rewarding to us
2
Q
what two types of rewards influence attraction?
A
- direct rewards: all the evident pleasures people provide us with
- noticeable
- received from interactions with others - indirect rewards: benefits we might not be aware of
- more subtle
- ex: anything about the new acquaintance that resembles us, names start with same first letter
3
Q
what does attraction involve/depend on?
A
- involves the perceived characteristics of the person who appeals to us
- depends on our current needs, goals, and desires
4
Q
Instrumentality
A
- the extent to which someone is able to help us achieve our present goals
- we are attracted to those who can help us get what we currently want
- the fundamental basis of attraction
5
Q
how does physical PROXIMITY relate to attraction/liking?
A
- proximity makes it more likely that two people will meet and interact
- most of the time, relationships are more rewarding when they involve people who are near one another
- we are more likely to like and have connections with people who are close to us
6
Q
how does FAMILIARITY (repeated contact) impact attraction/liking?
A
- familiarity or MERE EXPOSURE increases our liking of someone
- proximity will increase the chances that two people will come into contact and become familiar with each other
- but familiarity has its limits such that the more we hang out with someone, we may gain information about them that we dislike
- generally, we prefer others we recognize to those who are total strangers
7
Q
How does CONVENIENCE impact attraction/ liking?
A
- convenience increases our attraction to someone
- when others are nearby, it is easy to enjoy the rewards they offer
- proximity is rewarding and distance is costly
8
Q
what is the first thing someone notices about another?
A
- their looks/physical appearance
9
Q
how does physical appearance impact our impressions of someone?
A
- we tend to assume good looking people are more likable and better people than those who are unattractive
- we assume attractive people who share our own ethnic background have desirable traits
10
Q
what features tend to make women more “Attractive”
A
- baby-faced features, large eyes, small nose, small chin, full lips
- feminine and youthful
11
Q
describe male attractiveness
A
- men who have strong jaws and broad foreheads are usually thought to be handsome (strong and dominant look)
- but feminized faces (warmer and friendlier) are also attractive
- women’s menstrual cycle can impact which facial style they find more attractive
12
Q
In general, what faces are found to be most attractive?
A
- averageness and symmetry make faces more attractive
13
Q
waist-to-hip ratio
A
- the most attractive WHR is 0.7 for women
- WHR has more influence on men’s judgements of attractiveness than breast size
- most attractive WHR is 0.9 for men
14
Q
what factors contribute to attractiveness
A
- smell
- financial status
- height
- hair length
- intelligence
15
Q
what is the evolutionary perspective on physical attractiveness
A
- cultures may differ but people all over the world tend to agree on who is attractive
- babies are born with preferences for the same faces that adults find attractive
- people with attractive symmetrical faces also tend to have symmetrical bodies and have better mental and physical health
- physical attractiveness matters most to people who live in equatorial regions of the world where diseases can impact health
- attractive people reproduce more successfully
- women’s preferences change according to their menstrual cycle
- women’s behaviour toward men changes when they’re fertile
