physical attractiveness

• Physical attractiveness is an important factor in the formation of relationships. It assumes that we seek to form a relationship with the most attractive person available.
• Why does physical attractiveness seems to be so important in forming relationships?

  One explanation is that it’s the result of evolution (sexual selection) and that attractiveness is a sign of genetic fitness.
• Shackleford: Found people with symmetrical faces are rated as more attractive (a sign of genetic fitness)

  People are attracted to ‘baby-face’ features e.g. large eyes, small nose, as they trigger a caring instinct
• Strength of physical attractiveness

  Research has found women with large eyes and a small nose were rated as highly attractive by white, Hispanic and Asian men.

  Physically attractive features are consistent across cultures and therefore an evolutionary explanation makes sense at this level
• The halo effect is the idea that people who are judged to be attractive are typically perceived in a positive light.
• Strength of the halo effect

  Research found that physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable and competent compared to unattractive people

  Supports the idea that physically attractive people are viewed more positively. This has real life practical implications e.g. politicians may be judged as suitable based on attractiveness.
• The matching hypothesis suggests we look for partners who are similar to ourselves in terms of physical attractiveness instead of choosing the most attractive partner.
• Strength of the matching hypothesis

  Feingold carried out a meta-analysis of 17 studies using real life couples and found a strong correlation between partners levels of attractiveness.

  This supports the idea that people choose partners of a similar attractiveness level as themselves (matching hypothesis)
• Weakness of the matching hypothesis

  Walster’s computer dance:

  They invited student to a dance party. They were randomly matched to a partner; however, students were secretly judged by a panel in terms of attractiveness. During the intervals at the dance party, and 4 to 6 months later, students were asked whether they found their partner attractive and whether they would like to go on a second date with them. Students expressed higher appreciation of their partner if the partner was attractive, regardless of their own level of attractiveness.

  Contradicts the matching hypothesis