Physical Attractivenes Flashcards
What increases attractiveness and who proposed it?
Shakleford and Larson (1997) symmetrical faces inc attractiveness because presents an honest set of genetic fitness
What is a baby face called and why does it increase attractiveness?
Neotenous face - increase attractiveness because triggers caring instinct
Who proposed what hypothesis about who people choose based on attractiveness?
The Matching Hypothesis (1966) Walster
What does the matching hypothesis suggest?
That a committed relationship is more likely if partners are equally attractive.
We assess our own value and make realistic choices based upon this.
We choose equally attractive people/ on the same level
Who did a study on physical attractiveness and what was it?
Walster - computer dance
376M+376F
Bought tickets, rated on attractive press when collected
Questionnaire on IQ and personality done before “to find match” but acc done randomly
Questionnaire on date done during, after and 6 months later
Findings didn’t support theory as went for most attractive person not equally
What’s the halo effect?
A cognitive bias where you positively judge someone on a single attribute
What’s the halo effect specific to attractiveness?
The attractiveness stereotype- assign positive qualities and traits to physically attractive people
Explain AO3 of supportive evidence for physical attractiveness
E- Feingold (1988) meta analysis of 17 studies - correlation in attractiveness ratings of partners
E- supports predictions that a committed relationship is more likely if equally attractive
L- supports predictions inc validity
However mixed findings bc of Walster
Explain AO3 of contradictory research for the matching hypothesis
E- Taylor et al (2011) dating websites - choose more attractive people
E- contradict predictions as should do for someone equal as more likely to be accepted
L- challenges validity and contradicts predictions
Explain AO3 for empirical evidence of Halo Effect
E- Palmer and Peterson (2012) attractive people rated higher on political competency
E- continued despite being told that “knowledgeable” had no expertise showing that people do judge positively of someone because of one attractive feature
L- supports attractiveness stereotype and useful real world application as shows that politicians could be chosen on attractiveness
