Matching hypothesis

• Matching hypothesis says people want an equally attractive partner
• Walster et al developed matching hypothesis stating people tend to choose partners who are as attractive as themselves
• Walster et al - Computer dance study - Method

  • Advertised in handbook to new university students
  • 376 men 376 women
  • Secretly rated each student for attractiveness
  • Told a computer would match them with a date for the dance who shared their interests
• Walster et al - Computer dance study - Method:

  • Ps randomly paired with each other
  • No men with women they were shorter than
  • Questionnaire done
  • Followed up 4-6months later
• Walster et al - Computer dance study - Findings

  • Ps paired with similarly attractive partner not significantly more liked by their date
  • Ps rated more attractive were more liked by their date
  • More attractive partner asked to go on further dates
  • No correlation between similarity in attractiveness and number of times asked out again
• Walster et al - Computer dance study - Conclusion

  • Matching hypothesis not supported
  • People prefer attractive partners regardless of own looks
• Walster et al - Computer dance study - Evaluation

  • Computer dance different from usual dating
  • Ps didn't choose one another
  • Low ecological validity --> can't apply to real life dating
  • Way attractiveness was judged may not be reliable
  • Attractiveness judged quickly
  • Ps dressed up at dance and had hours to judge
• Strengths of matching hypothesis

  • Murstein asked 99 couples and 98 fake couples to rate themselves for attractiveness
  • Independent judge asked to rate couples
  • Real couples had a strong positive correlation between attractiveness of two partners
• Strengths of matching hypothesis

  • White studied 123 couples
  • Couples only just started dating were likely to progress to serious relationship if both partners similarly attractive
• Weaknesses of matching hypothesis

  • Computer dance study didn't support matching hypothesis
  • Hypothesis says matching affects who we choose to start a relationship with
  • Evidence to support theory comes from relationships which have already started