Factors Affecting Attraction Flashcards
What is the definition of physical attractiveness?
Important factor in formation of romantic relationships
Usually applies to how appealing we find someone’s face
What is the matching hypothesis?
belief we don’t select most attractive person as partner, but to people who match us in physical attractiveness
Implying we consider our own attractiveness value when seeking romantic partners
To stop rejection by someone out of your league
Describe the Halo Effect
How one distinguishing feature tends to have a disproportionate influence on our judgements of person’s other attributes, e.g. personality
Dion et al. found that attractive people consistently rated as kind, sociall & successful than unattractive people
Explain the importance of physical attractiveness
Mcnulty et al. (2008)found evidence initial attractiveness that brought partners together continued to be important feature during marriage for at least several years
Evaluate the factors affecting attraction
STRENGTH: Research support for the Halo effect
Palmer & Peterson (2012) found physically attractive people rated as more politically knowledgeable & competent than unattractives. This has implications for democracy, if politicians suitable for office on looks
Existence of Halo effect found to apply in many ares of life, confirming attractiveness important factor in initial forming of any relationships
LIMITATION: Individual Differences
Some people don’t seem to attach importance to attractiveness
Towhey (1979) asked male & female parties rate how much they’d like like target person based on photo & some bio info. Parties also completed questionnaire (MACHO) designed to measure sexist attitudes & behaviours. Towhey found parties scoring high on the scale more influenced by attractiveness of target whenn making judgements of likeability than lower scorers
Shows effects of physical attractiveness can be moderated by other factors & challenges notion it’s significant consideration in relationship formation for all potential partners
STRENGTH: Research Support for matching hypothesis
Feingold (1988) carried out meta-analysis of 17 studies & found significant correlation in ratings of attractiveness between romantic partners.
This is especially supportive of matching hypothesis as studies looked at actual partners, thus more realistic approach
Outline self-disclosure
Revealing personal info about yourself
Romantic partners reveal more about true selves as relationship develops
Self-disclosures about deepest thoughts & feelings can strengthen romantic bond when used appropriately
Describe social penetration theory
Basic feature of romantic relationships - involves reciprocal exchange of info between intimate partners (self-disclosure)
When one partner reveals some personal info they display trust - to go further other must also reveal info
As they increasingly disclose more info to each other romantic partners penetrate deeper into each other’s lives & gain greater understanding of each other
Explain the breadth & depth of self-disclosure
According to Altman & Taylor self-disclosure has two elements: breadth & depth
As both of these increase, romantic partners become more committed to each other
Researchers use metaphor of many layers of onion to illustrate this process
We reveal lots of info at start of relationship, but it’s all superficial (surface-level) & low-risk info we’d reveal to anyone
Thus, breadth of disclosure narrow as many topics off-limit in early stage
It’s crucial not to reveal important info too soon
As relationship develops, we’re prepared to reveal intimate, high-risk info
Describe the reciprocity of self-disclosure
Reis & Shaver (1988) point out for relationship to develop disclosure needs to be reciprocal
Once disclosing something relating true self, hopefully partner respond in rewarding way with understanding & empathy & their own intimate thoughts & feelings
Evaluate self disclosure as a factor affecting attraction
STRENGTH: Research Support (Sprecher & Hendrick)
Sprecher & Hendrick studied heterosexual dating couple & found correlations between several measures of satisfaction & S-D (both their’s & partner’s). Men & women using self-disclosure & those believing their partner did as well, were more satisfied & committed in relationship.
Several predictions about self-disclosure derived from social penetration theory supported by research. Such findings increase our confidence in validity of theory that S-D leads to more satisfying relationships.
STRENGTH: Real Life Application
Research into S-D can help couples improve communication in relationship. Partners use S-D skilfully from time to time to increase intimacy & strengthen bond.
Hass & Stafford found 57% of gay men & women in study said open & honest S-D was main way they maintained & deepened relationship. If partners who limit communication to small talk learn to use S-D, it can benefit relationship like deepening & satisfaction.
This real-life application shows value of such psychological insights.
LIMITATION: Cultural Differences
Predictions that increasing depth & breadth of S-D leads to more satisfying & intimate relationships not true for all cultures. Tang et al (2013) reviewed research literature regarding sexual S-D (feelings about sexual practises).
They found men & women in USA (individualist culture) S-D significantly more sexual thoughts & feelings than men & women in China (collectivist culture). Both these levels of S-D linked to relationship satisfaction in those cultures.
S-D theory thus limited explanation, based on findings from Western cultures which aren’t necessarily generalisable to other cultures.
