Physical attractiveness

• KEY STUDY: walster et al (1969) procedure

  • 752 first year students at the university of Minnesota
  • Invited to a dance party where they were randomly matched to a partner however they were told they were matched based on a questionnaire
  • they were then asked 4-6 months later if they would like to go on a second date with their partner
• KEY STUDY: walster et al (1969) findings

  • students appreciated their partner more if they were attractive and were more likely to persue a second date
  • personality and intelligence had no effect of this decision
• what does the walster study tell us?

  • supports physical attractiveness as a factor affecting attractiveness
  • was the only contributing factor when deciding on a second date, other factors like personality and intelligence had no role
• Evaluation… (sample)

  • large sample (752 participants)
  • likely to be representative = high population validity
  • can be generalised
  • cultural bias = individualistic cultures = cannot be generalised as there are different standards of attractiveness across cultures —> furthermore all first year students = likely to be looking for a partner
• Evaluation… (deception)

  • may suffer from ethical implications for the researcher
  • participants are lied to, they are randomly matched rather than by questionnaire
  • deception may damage reputation of psychologist as they seem untrust worthy = reduces credibility
  • However avoids demand characteristics and participants can be debriefed afterwards
• Evaluation… (subjectivity)

  • physical attractiveness is a subjective measure
  • lacks objectivity therefore not truly scientific
  • decreases internal validity = characteristics that make someone physically attractive are broad and undefined = cannot draw accurate causal relationships