Matching hypothesis

Question 1

Matching hypothesis

Answer 1

When people look for partners they look for someone who’s social desirability approx equals their own ( Walster + Walster)

Question 2

Process

Answer 2

First assess their own value in potential partners eyes then choose best candidates most likely to be attracted to them ; maximises chances of a successful outcome

Question 3

Physical attractiveness

Answer 3

Social desirability refers to a wide range of areas which overtime have become associated with physical attractiveness alone therefore individuals pair up with those similar in this area

Question 4

Realistic choices

Answer 4

Walster calls these choices as realistic choices as they are influenced by chances of reciprocated affection ; must consider a wide range of things e.g a persons desires , whether they want him/her in return , other alternatives etc

Question 5

*Key study: Walster et al

Answer 5

Computer dance for students at university of Minnesota
177 M 170 F
Student accomplices rate each on physical attractiveness
Pps completed a questionnaire + told it was used to allocate partners
During intermission of dance asked to complete questionnaire about dates
Follow up after 6 months

Question 6

Findings

Answer 6

Did not support matching hypothesis
Regardless of own physical attraction responded more positively to physically attractive dates + more likely to range dates
Other factors such as personality + intelligence did not affect liking the dates

Question 7

*Evaluation

Complex matching

Answer 7

Sprecher + Hatfield offer an explanation to why research fails to find evidence of matching physical attractiveness - a person may compensate for a lack of physical attractiveness with other desirable qualities e.g personality, status, money to compensate (complex matching)
Suggests attraction to more physically attractive partners is due to offering compensatory assets

Question 8

Initial attraction

Answer 8

Taylor et al doubts the value of the MH in attraction - a study of online dating patterns found no evidence that daters decisions were driven by similarity of physical attractiveness instead found an overall preference for attractive partners

Question 9

Speed dating

Answer 9

Eastwick + Winkel claim although men value physical attractiveness more these differences may not predict real life choices - Evidence from speed dating with longitudinal follow up procedures 30 days later; prior to speed dating apps showed traditional sex differences in their ideal partner however these failed to predict what inspired actual behaviour as there were no significant sex differences in judgements that influenced their romantic interests