Factors affecting attraction: Physical attractiveness

Question 1

A01

Explain importance of physical attractiveness

Shackelford & Larsen

Answer 1

Physical attractiveness is important in forming relationships
Shackelford & Larsen found that ppl with symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive- can be sign of genetic fitness
People are attracted to faces with neotenous( baby face) features such as widely seperated & large eyes, a delicate chin & small nose-because these act as social releasers triggers a protective or caring instinct

Question 2

A01

Outline the Halo effect

Dion et al

Answer 2

Dion et al. (1972) coined Hallo effect to describe the array of positive personal qualities, traits & skills attributed to good-looking people

• The halo effect occurs when a good-looking person is thought to be kind, intelligent ;deemed to be socially desirable
  The halo effect operates outside of gender, age & cultural parameters: its a universal construct
• The influence of entertainment such as Disney films, perpetuates the stereotype that beauty equals goodness e.g. heroes are attractive; ‘villans’ are generally ‘ugly’ (large hooked noses, hunched backs)
  The halo effect is cognitive bias as it involves generalising conclusions and forming an impression about a good-looking person based only on their attractiveness

Question 3

A01

Outline reseach on the matching hypothesis

Walster & Walster

Answer 3

Walster & Walster(1969)- The matching hypothesis suggests we look for partners who are similar to ourselves in terms of physical attractiveness & similar in terms of personality, intelligence, instead of choosing the most appealing people
Walster designed a study to test this ‘the computer dance’

Question 4

A01

Outline the procedure of the matching hypothesis

Walster & Walster

Answer 4

Male & female students were invited to dance. They were rated for their physical attractiveness by objective observers at the start & completed a questionnaire about themselves
They were told the data about themselves (personality, self esteem etc) would be used by a computer to decide their partner for the evening

Question 5

A01

Outline the findings of the matching hypothesis

Walster & Walster

Answer 5

The hypothesis was not supported. The most liked partners were the most physically attractive rather than taking their own level of attractiveness into account.
Berschield(1971) replicated the study, this time p selected their partner from people of varying degrees of attractiveness - this time the p chose partnerds who matched them in physical attractiveness

Question 6

Outline conclusion of matching hypothesis

Answer 6

We tend to seek & choose whose attractiveness matches our own.i.e if you self-rate yourself as 6/10 then likely will seek a mate of a similar level of attractiveness
Thus choice of partner is a comprimise -we risk rejection in selecting the most attractive people so we settle for people ‘in our league’ physically.

Question 7

A03

research support for Halo effect-palmer & peterson-Phys Attractive rates more poltically knowledgable

Palmer & peterson

Answer 7

Evidence that physical attractiveness is associated with a halo effect
Palmer & Peterson found that physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable & competent than unattractive people
The halo effect was so powerful it persisted even when p knew ‘knowledgeable’ people had no expertise

Question 8

A03

limitation of matching hypothesis-Taylor-dating apps

Taylor et al

Answer 8

Taylor et al. (2011) investigated the matching hypothesis using the activity logs of an online dating site which revealed that people do not necessarily apply the matching hypothesis when it comes to dating decisions,
Notions of ‘what is attractive?’ are highly subjective and prone to individual differences which means that associated theories lack scientific validity

Question 9

A03

Role of cultural influences -physical attractiveness-whats considered attractive consistent across cultures-Cuinningham

Strength

Answer 9

Research showed that whats considered physically atrractive is consistent across cultures
Cunningham found that female features of large eyes, prominent cheek bones, small nose were rated as highly attractive by white,hispanic & asian males.
The physically attractive stereotypes is also culturally pervasive.
Wheeler & kim found that korean & american students judged physically attractive ppl to be more trustworthy , friendly & mature thus stereotypes just as strong in collectvist cultures as individualistic cultures