Lesson 3 - Physical Attractiveness Flashcards
What is the Halo effect?
When the general impression of a person is incorrectly formed by a characteristic (attractiveness). Attractive people are perceived to be more sociable, optimistic and successful. People are nice to danker people.
What is a strength of the Halo Effect? (P&P)
Palmer and Peterson found that physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgable. This perception continued even when it was revealed they have no knowledge
What is the matching hypothesis?
An idea that most people want an attractive partner. However due to fear of rejection they often go for a similar level of attractiveness.
What is a strength of the matching hypothesis? (FanAU)
Fangold conducted a meta-analysis of 17 studies, using real life couples. Found a positive correlation between partners attractiveness.
What is a weakness of the matching hypothesis?(JayZ)
Sometimes an attractive person forms a relationship with an ugly person. Can happen when other traits make up for ugliness e.g. money, status
What is a weakness of the Halo effect? (Towhey)
Towhey asked Male and female pps to rate how much they liked an individual based on a photograph. PPs also completed a MACHO scale which measured sexist attitudes and behaviours. Was found that PPs who scored high on MACHO scale were more influenced by attractiveness. Those who scored low on the questionnaire did not value physical attractiveness. Therefore influence of physical attractiveness is affected by other factors.
