Factors Affecting Attraction - PHYSICAL ATTRACTION

Question 1

What is physical attractiveness?

Answer 1

The fact that humans have preferences about the physical appearances of other people.

Question 2

What are the features of physical attractiveness?

Answer 2

• Halo Effect.
• The matching hypothesis.

Question 3

What do women find physically attractive about men?

Answer 3

• Broad shoulders.
• Height

Question 4

What do men find physically attractive about women?

Answer 4

• Childlike face.
• Good hip to waist ratio

Question 5

Who devised the Halo Effect?

Answer 5

Dion (1972)

Question 6

What are features of the Halo Effect?

Answer 6

• A cognitive bias that involves generalising conclusions about a person based solely on their attractiveness.
• Attractive people are consistently rated as more successful, kind & sociable in comparison to unattractive people.
• We tend to behave more positively towards more attractive people.

Question 7

Who devised the matching hypothesis?

Answer 7

Walster et al

Question 8

What are the 2 matching hypotheses

Answer 8

1. Attractive people expect an attractive partner
2. Couples who are equally matched are happier

Question 9

What are features of the matching hypothesis?

Answer 9

• We make realistic judgement of our own value.
• Choice of partner is a compromise.
• We desire most attractive person but fear rejection.
• Matching hypothesis = less chance of rejection

Question 10

How did Palmer & Peterson (2012) study physical attractiveness (halo effect)?

Answer 10

• Attractive people rated as more politically knowledgeable and competent.
• H/E so powerful that it persisted even when pps knew these people had no expertise.

Implications:
- Voted into power based on looks rather than ability. (potential loss for economy if we have attractive, inefficient workers)
- H/E lacks validity as UK PM stereotypically unattractive.
- Reductionist view of physical attraction

Question 11

How did Walster & Walster (1969) study physical attractiveness (matching hypothesis)?

Answer 11

• Invited 752 1st year students at uni of Minnesota to a dance party.
• Randomly matched to a partner.
• When collecting their tickets, they were secretly judged by a panel on level of attractiveness.
• Intervals of dance party and 4-6months after, asked if they would go on second date with partner.
• Contrary to matching hyp predictions, they expressed higher appreciation of partner if attractive, regardless of own attractiveness level.

Question 12

Evaluation points for physical attractiveness:

Answer 12

+ Useful to know for CJS (judges more lenient) h/e
- Gender bias (beta bias)
- Reductionist