Physical Attractiveness - Evaluation Flashcards
What are the two issues and debates point for physical attractiveness and the Matching Hypothesis as a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships?
Alpha bias.
Nomothetic.
How is it nomothetic?
The theory generates general laws about people, saying that everyone will find everyone objectively the same level of attractive.
It does not focus on individual experiences.
How is it an example of alpha bias?
‘Attractiveness’ is subjective, the more ‘attractive’ the better.
To help out with the issues and debates, what can be used?
A study found a large difference in the perception of attractiveness between white, hispanic, African American and African ppts.
What are the two evaluation points for physical attractiveness and the Matching Hypothesis as a factor affecting attraction in romantic relationships?
Complex Matching.
Research support for sex-differences in the importance of physical attractiveness.
Who did the complex matching evaluation point?
Sprecher and Hatfield.
What issue and debate can be linked to the complex matching evaluation point?
Reductionist.
What does the complex matching point suggest?
A reason why research often fails to find evidence of matching in terms of physical attractiveness.
What does the complex matching point claim one may do in the absence of physical attractiveness?
Compensate with other desirable qualities such as a charming personality, kindness or money.
What is complex matching?
The tendency to compensate for a lack of physical attractiveness by offering other desirable traits.
What does complex matching allow in terms of people dating ‘out of their league’?
People can attract partners much more attractive then themselves.
What is the tail for the complex matching evaluation point?
Problems with methodology.
Who did the research support for sex-differences in the importance of physical attractiveness?
Meltzer.
What did Meltzer show support for?
The claim that if physical attractiveness is more important for males, males with more physically attractive partners will be more satisfied.
What were Meltzer’s findings?
Objective ratings of wive’s attractiveness = positively related to husbands satisfaction over the first 4 years of marriage.
