Relationships: Physical attractiveness Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain the importance of physical attractiveness (Shackleford and Larson)

A
  • Shackleford and Larson (1997), people with symmetrical faces are more attractive as they have an honest signal of genetic fitness (hard to fake facial symmetry).
  • People are also attracted to baby-face features: large eyes, delicate chin and a small nose as they trigger an instinct of protection and caring.
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2
Q

What is the halo effect -> Dion

A
  • Dion -> Physically attractive people are rated as kind, strong, sociable and successful compared to unattractive people.
  • belief that good looking people will have such characteristics makes them more attractive to us, so we behave more positively towards them.
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3
Q

What is the ‘matching hypothesis’? (Walter et al)

A
  • Walster -> People choose romantic partners who are roughly of similar physical attractiveness to each other.
  • To do this we have to make a realistic judgement about our own ‘value’ to a potential partner.
  • Balance of our desire for a partner for evolutionary/social/psych reasons with being rejected by someone out of our league.
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4
Q

(+) explain research support for the halo effect (Palmer and Peterson)

A
  • Palmer and Peterson (2012) found physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable and competent than unattractive people.
  • Persisted when people knew that the attractive people had no expertise.
  • Obvious implications for the political process.
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5
Q

(-) explain how theories of physical attraction do not account for individual differences (Villemez & Touhey)

A
  • Not all people place importance on physical attractiveness.
    -> ppts completed a questionnaire to measure sexist attitudes (MACHO Scale, Villemez & Touhey, 1977).
    -> questions include: “a man has the right to physically displace his partner if she steps out of line”.
  • PP who scored highly on the questionnaire, were more influenced by physical attractiveness, when making their judgement on likeability.
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6
Q

(+) Explain research support for matching hypothesis (Feingold)

A
  • Feingold (1988) – meta analysis of 17 studies and found a significant correlation in ratings of attractiveness between romantic partners.
  • More realistic approach as they used actual partners.
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7
Q

(-) explain how there is contradictory research for the matched hypothesis (Taylor)

A
  • Taylor studied online dating site choices.
  • online daters sought meetings with potential partners who were physically more attractive than them.
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8
Q

(+) Explain how theories of physical attractiveness are consistent across of cultures (Cunningham) (Wheeler and Kim)

A
  • Cunningham: Female features of large eyes, prominent cheekbones, small nose and high eyebrows were rated as highly attractive by white, hispanic and asian males.
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9
Q

List evaluations for theories of physical attractiveness

A

Positive:
- consistent across cultures
- research support for halo effect
-> support for matching hypothesis

Negative:
- contradictory research for matched hypothesis
- does not account individual differences

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