Factors affecting attraction- The matching hypothesis, The halo effect

Question 1

Theory on attractiveness:

Answer 1

• more attracted to people who are physically good looking
• evolutionary indication is health, facial symmetry and resources that indicate good genes
• want to pass these off onto our offspring

Question 2

what is the halo effect?

Answer 2

• people with physically attractive characteristics are assumed to also be successful in other areas of life
  -result in others interacting more positively towards them
• resulting in them actually becoming more successful

Question 3

what is the matching hypothesis?

Answer 3

• we cant all be with the most attractive people
• compare our own attractiveness to other peoples
• look for partners who are a similar level of attractiveness
• avoid pain of rejection by not chasing partners we see as too attractive
• retain our partners by choosing someone who will not leave us for someone else

Question 4

Research support for the matching hypothesis: Murstein (1972) Matching photographs

Answer 4

• used 197 photos of dating couples
• photos of each partner alone would be used so individual judgement could take place
• 8 judges rated them
• photos of couples were given similar ratings than those who were randomly matched

Question 5

Research support for the matching hypothesis: Fiengold (1988) meta analysis

Answer 5

• meta analysis of 18 studies
• containing a total of 1644 couples
• found overall positive correlation in attractiveness rating of couples

Question 6

Evaluation: shallow explanation of how humans get together

Answer 6

• shallow explanation of how humans select a mate
  -attractiveness may be a factor, most people like to think its not the most important one

Question 7

Evaluation: physical factors in long term relationships may be limited

Answer 7

• physical factors may be important in initial attraction
• role of physical features in continuing attraction may be more limited

Question 8

Evaluation: theory of considering benefits and costs may be a better explanation

Answer 8

• may give some explanation of initial partner selection
• theories of relationship exchange that include benefits and costs
• give a better explanation of over the long term

Question 9

Evaluation: matching hypothesis is becoming more valid

Answer 9

• online dating websites/ apps depends heavily on visual cues for partner selection
• providing more feedback to let people base their own attractiveness rating

Question 10

Evaluation: the halo effect applies beyond romantic relationships

Answer 10

• defendants in court who are attractive are likely to recieve lower sentences than less attractive defendants
• attractiveness implies innocence
  -Todorov (2005)
  found winners and losers of american elections could be predicted based on who looked most competent after one second