FAA- Attractiveness & Matching Hypothesis

• Physical attractiveness

  We are more attracted to those who are physically good looking.

  This is what draws a couple together

  
  

  Being found physically attractive can have long term benefits such as being less socially anxious and more popular - Feingold
• What is the halo effect?


  Dion et al

  
  

  People who are typically judged to be physically attractive are also assumed to be successful in other areas too e.g. intelligence - they are deemed as socially desirable
• What is the Matching Hypothesis?


  Walster

  People choose partner based on who are roughly the same level of attractiveness compared to themselves.

  
  

  This is a balance between a desire to have the most physically attractive person possible and the risk of being rejected by someone who is way out of their league.
• Strength of Physical Attractiveness

  Empirical body of evidence

  
  

  Evidence to support matching hypothesis has been grounded in studies observation and measurement

  Feingold - meta analysis that examined couples and their level of physical attractiveness.

  • found positive correlation between partners rating of attractiveness

  Supports matching hypothesis as he concluded that the couples tended to be similar in terms of physical attractiveness
• Limitation of Physical Attractiveness

  Concept of physical attractiveness is vague

  
  

  Physical attractiveness is different dependent on the person. This means that theories such as the matching hypothesis are subjective and may lack consistency and reliability

  
  

  Subjectivity means that theory is based solely on physical attractiveness and doesn't account for factors such as culture meaning it can lack scientific robust
• Limitation of Physical Attractiveness

  Lack of of validity in evidence for matching hypothesis

  
  

  Webster - invited students to a dance, they were randomly paired. Each students attractiveness was rated by panel. Students asked if they would go on second date 

  
  

  Found: Students preferred attractive partners despite their own attractiveness 

  
  

  Doesn't support matching hypothesis ---> this suggests that factors such as personality may play a role in attraction which decreases validity as it contradicts hypothesis
• Limitation of Physical Attractiveness

  Lacks cultural and temporal validity

  What is considered as attractive has changed overtime.

  
  

  Swami et al - ideal body size in western cultures was having a slimmer body but ideal body sizes in non western cultures is having a fuller body.

  
  

  As studies are conducted in one culture which may not apply universally reducing external validity.