Physical Attractiveness

Question 1

Physical Attractiveness

Answer 1

An important factor in the formation of romantic relationships which applies to how appealing we find a person’s face. There exists an assumption that we seek to form relationships with the most attractive person available.

Question 2

The Importance of Physical Attraction

Answer 2

Evolutionary explanations of attractiveness state that traits associated with attractiveness act as indications of good health.

Choosing an attractive partner is the best way of ensuring a healthy partner and a healthy child.

Perceived health is important so the partner is going to be physically able to bear children (f) or provide for the family (m).

Question 3

Shackelford and Larsen (1997)

Answer 3

Shackelford and Larsen found that people with symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive because it may be an honest signal of genetic fitness.

Question 4

The Matching Hypothesis

Answer 4

The belief that we do not select the most attractive person as a prospective partner but instead are attracted to people who ‘match’ us in physical attractiveness.

Question 5

Stages of Matching Hypothesis

Answer 5

1. The more socially desirable a person is in terms of their own physical attractiveness, social standing and intelligence, the more desirable they would expect a dating or marriage partner to be.
2. Couples who are matched are more likely to have happy, enduring relationships than couples who are mismatched in terms of social desirability.
3. A person rates a potential partner for attractiveness and compares it with their own level of attractiveness.