Factors effecting attraction: Physical attractiveness

Question 1

What explanation is there for why physical attractiveness is important in forming relationships?

Answer 1

• one explanation draws upon the evolutionary theory
• Shackelford & Larsen (1997) found people with symmetrical faces are rated more attractive- signal of genetic fitness
• ppl also attracted to faces with neotenous features such as widely separated & large eyes, delicate chin & small nose- triggers a protective caring instinct (valuable resource for females)

Question 2

What is the first theory derived from physical attractive factor ?

Answer 2

• halo effect

Question 3

What is the halo effect?

Answer 3

• idea that people who are judged to be attractive are typically perceived in a positive light
  -e.g. Dion et al found that physically attractive people are consistently rated as kind, sociable & successful compared to unattractive people.
• Belief that good looking people have these characteristics makes them more attractive > we behave positively towards them (self fulfilling prophecy)

Question 4

How do psychologists use the term halo effect?

Answer 4

• to describe how one distinguishing feature tends to have a disproportionate influence on our judgements of a persons other attributes e.g. their personality

Question 5

What is the second theory derived from physical attractive factor?

Answer 5

matching hypothesis

Question 6

What is the matching hypothesis?

Answer 6

• The belief that we do not select the most attractive person as a prospective partner but instead are attracted to a person who is approximately similar to us in physical attractiveness
• Walters & Walters (1969)

Question 7

What research support is there for the halo effect?

Answer 7

• physical attractiveness associated with the halo effect
• Palmer & Peterson found attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable & competent than unattractive people
• halo effect so powerful > persisted even when p’s knew that these ‘knowledgeable’ people had no particular expertise
• dangers for democracy if politicians judged suitable for office based on looks

Question 8

How does the role of physical attractiveness support evolutionary processes?

Answer 8

• Cunningham et al found female features of large eyes, prominent cheekbones, small nose & high eyebrows were rated
  highly attractive by white, Hispanic & Asian men
• what is considered attractive is consistent across diff societies
• attractive features (symmetry) = sign of genetic fitness therefore perpetuated similarly in all cultures( sexual selection)

Question 9

What research is there challenging the matching hypothesis?

Answer 9

• not supported by real- world research into dating
• Taylor et al studied activity logs of popular online dating website
• found that online dates sought meetings with potential partners who were more physically attractive than them.
• undermines the validity of the matching hypothesis because it contradicts the central prediction about matching attractiveness

Question 10

What is counterpoint for researcher challenging the matching hypothesis?

Answer 10

• choosing individuals for dating could be considered a different situation from selecting a partner for a romantic relationship
• Feingold carried out a meta-analysis of 17 studies & found a significant correlation in ratings of physical attractiveness in romantic partners
• support from studies of real-world romantic partners for matching hypothesis