L3 - Physical Attractiveness

Question 1

What affects attraction in romantic relationships?

Answer 1

Physical attractiveness

Question 2

How important is physical attractiveness to the sexes?

Answer 2

Males: great deal of importance when choosing a partner in the short term and long term
Females: very important for short term and less important in short term

Question 3

How does Physical attraction vary?

Answer 3

Over culture and time

Question 4

What is the halo effect?

Answer 4

• General impression is incorrectly formed from one characteristic alone
• PA people are seen as more sociable, optimistic, successful and trustworthy
• People behave positively to PA people
• This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, where A PA person behaves even nicer because of the positive attention they receive

Question 5

Evaluation of Halo Effect

Answer 5

+ PA people were rated more politically knowledgeable than unattractive people. The effect was so powerful it persisted when ppts found the PA person had no expertise
- A psychologist asked Ppts to rate how much they liked an individual based on a photo. Ppts completed a MACHO scale measuring sexist attitudes. Those who scored highly in MACHO were more influenced by PA and vice versa. The influence of PA is moderated by other factors

Question 6

What is the Matching Hypothesis

Answer 6

• Individuals seek partners with the same social desirability as themselves
• PA becomes the major determining factor as it allows both people to rate the other as a potential partner before forming a relationship.
• Most people want to be in a relationship with someone who is PA, but to not be rejected, people will approach those who are of a similar attractiveness to them

Question 7

Evaluation of Matching Hypothesis

Answer 7

(+) Meta analysis conducted of 17 studies, establishing a strong positive correlation between the partner’s rating of PA, just like the matching hypothesis predicted

(-) Complex matching - where a PA person is in a relationship with a less PA person. They might have different traits like wealthier or better personality

(-) 752 students attended a dance party. They were randomly matched to a partner. They were secretly judged in their PA by a panel. At the dance party and 4-6 months later, students were asked if they found their partner attractive, and whether they wanted a second date. Contrary to the hypothesis, students expressed higher appreciation of their partner if the partner was attractive, regardless of their attractiveness.