Lesson 3 - Physical Attractiveness

Question 1

When do men place a great deal of importance on physical attractiveness

Answer 1

When choosing a female partner in the long and short term

Question 2

When do females put a great deal of importance on attractiveness

Answer 2

Choosing a short term male partner

Question 3

What is the halo effect

Answer 3

When the general impression of a person is incorrectly formed from one characteristic a-line - physical attractiveness - they are seen as more sociable , optimistic and successful

Question 4

What happens when the halo effect works

Answer 4

A self fulfilling prophecy - where the physically attractive person behaves even more positively because if the positive attention they receive

Question 5

+ evaluation of the halo effect

Answer 5

Physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable than unattractive people , the Hall effect was so powerful that is persisted even when participants found out that the physically attractive person had no expertise in politics

Question 6

• evaluation of the halo effect

Answer 6

Towhey asked male and female Ps to rate how much they liked an individual based on a photo. Ps also completed a MACHO scale which measured sexist attitudes and behaviours.
People that have sexist views value physical attractiveness - physical attractiveness is moderated by other factors

Question 7

What is the matching hypothesis

Answer 7

Physical attractiveness becomes the major determining factor as it is an accessible way of rating each other as a potential partner before forming a relationship

Question 8

Who would most people prefer to form a relationship with

Answer 8

Someone who is physically attractive , but in order to not be rejected people will approach those of a similar level of attractiveness to themselves

Question 9

+ evaluation of the matching hypothesis

Answer 9

+ Fangold found supportive evidence by carrying out a meta analysis using real life couples . He established a positive correlation between the partners ratings of physical attractiveness , just as predicted by matching hypothesis

Question 10

• evaluation of the matching hypothesis

Answer 10

-walster invited 752 students of UoMinnesota to attend a dance party - they were randomly matched to a partner and rated by their looks as they walked in . Contrary to matching hypothesis , students expressed higher appreciation of their partner hid the partner was attractive, regardless of their own level
- sometimes a very physically attractive person will be with a less attractive person , looks isn’t the only factor