Factors affecting attraction: Physical attractiveness

Question 1

Sexual selection explanation of why symmetrical faces are most attractive

Answer 1

Shackelford/Larsen said honest sign of genetic fitness

Question 2

Sexual selection explanation of why baby faces are most attractive

Answer 2

Triggers protective instinct

Question 3

What is the halo effect

Answer 3

Dion found attractive ppl consistently rated as good personality aspects (e.g sociable)
-We believe attractive ppl have attractive personalities and behave positively towards them

Question 4

What is the matching hypothesis

Answer 4

We look for partners who are similar to ourselves in terms of physical attractiveness

Question 5

Computer dance study procedure (Elaine Walster 1969)

Answer 5

Students invited to dance
-Rated for physical attractiveness by others
-They rated themselves
-Said info would be used to find them a matching partner but matched randomly

Question 6

Computer dance study findings (Elaine Walster 1969)

Answer 6

-Most liked partners=most attractive
-HOWEVER study replicated where chose partners and ppl chose who matched them

Question 7

Computer dance study conclusion (Elaine Walster 1969)

Answer 7

We seek partners who match our physical attractiveness as risk rejection from someone out of our league

Question 8

Strength of halo effect

Answer 8

Research support
-e.g Palmer/Peterson found attractive people rated more politically knowledgeable even when pps knew they weren’t
-Finding has implications for political process as suggests politicians will be judged as suitable by their looks

Question 9

Strength of evolutionary importance of physical attractiveness

Answer 9

Research support
-e.g Cunningham found symmetric face rated highly attractive by white/asian/hispanic men
-Shows traits that show genetic fitness found attractive across all societies and chosen through sexual selection

=Shows importance of physical attractiveness on evolutionary level

Question 10

Weakness of matching hypothesis

Answer 10

Not supported by real-world research
-e.g Taylor et al studied online dating sites and found online daters sought meetings with more attractive ppl

Undermines validity of matching hypothesis as contradicts central prediction about matching attractiveness

Question 11

Counterargument to Taylor et al’s research

Answer 11

-Choosing to date different from choosing romantic partner
-Also Feingold meta-analysis found significant correlation in ratings of physical attractiveness between romantic partners

So is support for matching hypothesis from studies of real world established romantic partners