Evaluation

• Evaluating matching hypothesis - CAMP study

  -Murstein took photos, 197 engaged couples and sperate sample of random people who were posing as couples.

  -Judges rated photos on attractiveness without knowing who were real couples and who were posing as couples.

  -Engaged couples received similar ratings which were more alike than ratings given to random couples.

  -Concluded individuals have an 'equal market value' were more likely to be associated in intimate relationships.
• Indivdual differences

  -Towhey found individuals who scored high on MACHO scale were more influenced by physical attractiveness.

  -Influence of physical attractiveness is moderate by personality traits.
• Evaluating the halo effect

  -Research support: Palmer and Peterson found that physically attractive people were rated more politically knowledged than physically unattractive people.

  -The effect was so strong that cognitive distortion persisted even after the PP's were informed that the 'knowledgeable' person has no particular expertise.
• Evidence to challenge the matching hypothesis:

  -Has contradictory evidence to explain attraction in online-relationships.

  -Taylor found that users would meet with people who was significantly more attractive than themselves.

  -In terms of matching hypothesis, website users should seek individuals with similar attractiveness level.

  -This suggests physical attraction doesn't offer explanation for online relationships.