Social Psychology L5 Flashcards
What is the the most important factor in making friends?
Proximity
Describe the mere exposure effect.
(Zajonc): Repeated exposure to any stimulus makes it more appealing
Give an example of experimental evidence which supports the mere exposure effect
Mita et al. (1977) found that 70% of people prefer their reversed mirror image, while 70% of people prefer normal, photographic images of their friends.
We like faces how we normally see them
However, the mere exposure effect does not work if…
- The initial exposure is negative (Reis, 1997)
- Personality differences, conflict of interests, value or status differences
How does emotional arousal affect attraction?
People who are emotionally aroused, either sexual emotion, physical stress, or fear, rate others as more attractive.
Describe the experimental evidence which demonstrates the relationship between emotional arousal and attraction
White et al. (1981) found that men who ran on the spot rated women as more attractive then men who sat still
Dutton and Aaron (1974) found that people expecting electric shocks rated members of the opposite sex as more attractive
Dutton and Aaron found that men who crossed a deep ravine by a narrow rope bridge told more sexual stories about women, and were more likely to call the female interviewer after the experiment was finished then men who crossed a sturdy wide bridge.
Why could physical anxiety make you more attracted to others?
Because people think that the woman is the reason why they’re nervous - ie butterflies in your stomach
What are the benefits to being attractive?
- adults are less aggressive to attractive children
- attractive people are more likely to be hired for jobs
- attractive students are more likely to get better grades
According to Whipple (2018) ___ of men would agree to sex from an unfamiliar attractive woman, while ____ of women would agree to sex from an unfamiliar attractive man.
90%
10%
According to Wakil et al. (1973) men rank physical appearance as the _____ most important trait in a romantic partner, while women rank it as the ______ most important.
12th
22nd
What are examples of studies which show physical attractiveness to be the most important characteristic?
Green, Buchanan and Heuer (1984) found that physical attractiveness was the most important factor in online dating
Wester et al. found that the blind dates of attractive people at a college dance were happier about the date then the blind dates of unattractive people.
What are some sex differences in attraction
Heterosexual and gay men place most emphasis on physical traits
Woman and lesbians place most emphasis on psychological traits.
Ravin and Rubin (1983) found that…
Doctors and attraction
Doctors were more likely to try to revive attractive people then unattractive people on casualty wards.
What are the preferences for facial features in each gender?
Men - narrow eyes, expression of dominance, square jaw and thrusting chin
Women - childlike profile, big eyes, small nose and chin
What are preferences for body type in each gender?
Men - V shaped man, broad shoulders, small bottom
Women - Medium bust, hips, waist, and bottom
