Relationships Phys Attractiveness Ao1 Flashcards
Shacklef
Shackelford and Larsen (1997) found that people with symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive - it may show an honest signal of genetic fitness, however some people
Are attracted to baby face features such as large eyes and a button nose. Perhaps looking for youthful genetics which are potentially healthier
Mc nulty et al
McNulty et al. (2008) found that attractiveness is not only important at the start of the relationship, but also continued after marriage.
Buss research 1989
Buss’s research 1989) looked at cultural differences and found that overall, men placed a great importance on physical attractiveness while women placed greater importance on
resources
Matching hypothesis
We are more likely to be attracted to people who are of similar physical attractiveness to ourselves according to the matching hypothesis
Matching hypothesis - Walster 1966
A theory of interpersonal attraction
Which argues that relationships are formed between 2 ppl who are equal or very similar in terms of social desirability
Examined on the level of physical attractiveness
People asses their own value and then make realistic choices by selecting the best available potential partners who are also likely to share the same level of attraction
Walster et al 1966 procedure
In order to test the marching hypothes, wasser et al advertised a computer dance for new students at the University of Minnesota. From the large number of students who purchased tickets, 177 males and 170 females were randomly selected to take part in the study When they came to pick up their tickets, four student accomplices surreptitiously rated each of them for physical attractiveness. The participants were then asked to complete a lengthy questionnaire (eg, to assess personality, intelligence, etc) and told that the data gathered from these questionnaires would be used to allocate their ideal partner for the evening of the dance. In fact the pairing was done completely randomly During the intermission part of the dance, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their dates, with a follow-up questionnaire distributed six months after the dance.
Walster et al 1966 procedure
In order to test the marching hypothes, wasser et al advertised a computer dance for new students at the University of Minnesota. From the large number of students who purchased tickets, 177 males and 170 females were randomly selected to take part in the study When they came to pick up their tickets, four student accomplices surreptitiously rated each of them for physical attractiveness. The participants were then asked to complete a lengthy questionnaire (eg, to assess personality, intelligence, etc) and told that the data gathered from these questionnaires would be used to allocate their ideal partner for the evening of the dance. In fact the pairing was done completely randomly During the intermission part of the dance, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their dates, with a follow-up questionnaire distributed six months after the dance.
Walster et al 1966 findings
The findings from this study did not support the matching hypothess. Once participants had met their dates, and regardless of the rown physical attractiveness, they responded more positively to physically attractive dares and were more likely to subsequently try to arrange dates with them if they were physically attractive Other factors, such as personality and intelligence, did not affect liking the dates or any subsequent attempts to date them.
Walster 1966 findings
The findings from this study did not support the matching hypothess. Once participants had met their dates, and regardless of the rown physical attractiveness, they responded more positively to physically attractive dares and were more likely to subsequently try to arrange dates with them if they were physically attractive Other factors, such as personality and intelligence, did not affect liking the dates or any subsequent attempts to date them.
The halo effect was studied by
Dion et al 1972
The halo effect
Physically attractive people are rated as kind strong sociable and successful compared to unattractive people
The belief that good looking ppl will have such characteristics makes them more attractive to us so we behave more positively towards them - a self fulfilling prophecy
The halo effect
Physically attractive people are rated as kind strong sociable and successful compared to unattractive people
The belief that good looking ppl will have such characteristics makes them more attractive to us so we behave more positively towards them - a self fulfilling prophecy
What is self disclosure
Revealing personal information about yourself
Romantic partners reveal more about their true selves as the relationship develops
These revelations strengthen relationships
gradually revealing personal info such as thoughts, feeling and experiences
Self disclosure Altman and Taylor 1973
Relationships are a gradual process of revealing inner self
Only happpens when trust is established
To reduce embarrassment
2 elements - breadth and depth
Low risk info given early on, high risk info comes as the relationship progresses
Disclosure of personal information about yourself is rewarding signals their liking of us and their desire to be more intimate with us
2 elements of self disclosure
breadth and depth
onion metaphor altman and taylor
described theory of self disclosure as peeling back the layers of an onion which posses breadth and depth
Norms of self disclosure
There are norms about self-disclosure. For example, there is the norm that people should engage in only a moderately personal level of self-disclosure in the early stages of a relationship. Derlega and Grzelak (1979) suggest that these should be neither so personal that the discloser appears indiscriminate for disclosing them to a relative stranger, nor so impersonal that the listener is unable to know the discloser better as a result. The norm of reciprocity governs much of our social behaviour, i.e. people expect others to return the services they provide, be it money, favours or, in romantic relationships, self-disclosure. There is considerable evidence (eg. Berg and Archer, 1980) that people possess a norm of reciprocity concerning self-disclosure. The more one person discloses to another, the more disclosure is expected in return.
Social penetration theory
• Low risk information is revealed early on in a relationship
• High risk information comes out as the relationship progresses.
• Builds commitment in relationships
• rewarding
Appropriateness of the disclosure
-first dates may be viewed as ‘over the top’ → lacking in social skills.
Attributions for the disclosure
Less attraction - discloses personal information to everyone.
More attraction - selected individual for information
Gender differences
women generally are seen as better communicators, therefore intimate self disclosures by males may be seen as less appropriate than those by females.
Content of the disclosure
-disclosure of highly intimate information may be seen as inappropriate and as violating social norms, especially if a relationship is in its early stages, This could decrease attraction.
Sprecher and Hendrick 2004
heterosexual dating couples. Strong correlations between measures of satisfaction and self-disclosure
Laurenceaue et al 2005
used a method involving uring daly diary entries. Found self disclosure and the perception of self disclosure in a partner was linked to higher levels of intimacy
Wortman et al 1976
When individuals believed they had been specially selected for intimate disclosure, they felt trusted and admired and thus rated the person disclosing favourably
Wortman et al 1976
When individuals believed they had been specially selected for intimate disclosure, they felt trusted and admired and thus rated the person disclosing favourably
