Physical attractiveness

Question 1

2 parts of the theory of physical attractiveness

Answer 1

Matching hypothesis
Halo effect

Question 2

Who’s theory was the matching hypothesis

Answer 2

Walster and Walster

Question 3

What is the Matching hypothesis

Answer 3

=When looking for a partner for a romantic relationship, they tend to look for someone whose social desirability equals their own.

Assess own value, then select best available candidates who would most likely be attracted to them: feel more secure, be less likely to leave.

‘Realistic’ choices are influenced by the chances of having affection reciprocated.

Must consider:
* What they desire (ideal choice).
* Where the other person wants them.
* Whether other desirable alternatives are available for them.

Question 4

What is the Halo effect

Answer 4

= When an individual is perceived in a positive light due to their physical attractiveness.

Question 5

Halo effect research:

Answer 5

Palmer and Peterson: Physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable & competent.

Question 6

Physical Attractiveness key study:

Answer 6

Computer Dance: Walster

Procedure: University of Minnesota, 177 students (170 f). Randomly selected for a study out of students who purchased tickets.

4 students rated participants on physical attractiveness.
Participants completed a questionnaire and told data was used to allocate dates; pairing was acc done randomly.
Participants completed questionnaires about dates during dance & 6 months after.

Findings: Didn’t support Matching Hypothesis.

Regardless of own physical attractiveness, they responded more positively to attractive people & tried to arrange dates with them.

Other factors (e.g., personality & intelligence) didn’t affect dates.

Question 7

Eval for physical attractiveness

Answer 7

+Walster computer dance
- Walster computer dance
-Complex matching
+Research support
+Research isnt gender specific

Question 8

Eval for physical attractiveness: Walster computer dance

Answer 8

+ Supported importance of phsyical attraction
They responded more positively to attractive people & tried to arrange dates with them.
Other factors (e.g., personality & intelligence) didn’t affect dates.
= Value of physical attractiveness

-Didn’t support MH
They responded more positively to attractive people regardless of own attractiveness.

= Matching hypothesis is limited/flawed but physical attractiveness is v important

Question 9

Eval for physical attractiveness: Complex matching

Answer 9

• Sprecher & Hatfield
  A person may compensate for a lack of pa w other desirable qualities
  eg: status, money, kindness

= individual differences can impact
= not universally applicable
eg older wealthy man w young attractive woman

Question 10

Eval for physical attractiveness: Meltzer’s research

Answer 10

+ Importance in pa for males

Meltzer: Objective ratings of wives’ attractiveness were positively related to levels of husbands’ satisfaction for the first years of marriage.

= males value pa

However:

• lack of importance of pa for females

Objective ratings of husband’s physical attractiveness were not related to wives’ marital satisfaction.

= gender differences= cannot apply to everyone

Question 11

Eval for physical attractiveness: research isn’t gender specific

Answer 11

Aronson: when using homosexuals to investigate Matching Hypothesis, physical attractiveness was still prioritized.

=Universally applicable.