Physical attractiveness (matching hypothesis)

Question 1

Evolutionary theory

Answer 1

found that people with symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive because this characteristic reflects good genes.

Question 2

Neotenous features (baby face)

Answer 2

such as large eyes, delicate chin and a small nose are attractive in women as they trigger a care-giver response as we are evolved to respond positively to child-like features as it means we are more likely to look after our young.

Question 3

Initial attractiveness

Answer 3

that brought the partners together continued to be an important feature of the relationship after marriage, for at least several years.

Question 4

Halo effect

Answer 4

proposes that people who have one distinctive positive characteristic (attractiveness, humour) are assumed by others to then have positive characteristics as well.

Question 5

The matching hypothesis

Answer 5

states that people choose romantic partners who are of roughly similar attractiveness to themselves. Although people desire more physically attractive people, they also fear rejection and so settle for someone ‘in the same league’ as themselves.

Question 6

Evaluation strength: Palmer & Peterson (2012)

Answer 6

found that physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable and competent than unattractive people. (halo effect)

Question 7

Evaluation strength: Feingold (1988) matching hypothesis

Answer 7

meta analysis of 17 studies and found a significant correlation in ratings of attractiveness between real life romantic partners.

Question 8

Evaluation strength: cross culture research Wheeler & Kim (1997)

Answer 8

found than Korean and American students judged physically attractive people to be more trustworthy, concerned for other people, mature and friendly. (halo effect in different cultures)

Question 9

Evaluation weakness: individual differences

Answer 9

Towhey found that participants who scored highly on the Macho scale (sexist attitudes) were more influenced by the physical attractiveness of somebody when deciding on how much they liked them. This shows that some people value attractiveness more than others.

Question 10

Evaluation weakness: Taylor et al (2011) against matching hypothesis

Answer 10

found that online daters sought meetings with people who were more physically attractive than them.