Factors affecting attraction - matching hypothesis

• Physical attractiveness


  Physical indications of good health, e.g. muscular body, good complexion, facial symmetry
• Evolutionary explanation for attraction

  • We are primed to look for physical indications of health because we want the best genes possible for our own offspring
• Halo effect


  When we see people with physical characteristics indicating physical attractiveness, we also assume they are successful, intelligent, hardworking, and sociable
• Attractive people


  Given more opportunities and become more successful due to the halo effect
• Matching hypothesis


  Individuals are likely to select partners they judge to be a similar attractiveness level as themselves
• Evidence for matching hypothesis

  • Study by Murr Stein using photographs of 197 couples
  • Meta-analysis by Feingold including 18 studies and 1644 couples
• Attractiveness is important in the initial attraction phase, but personality and shared goals become more important as a relationship develops
• Online dating makes initial selection more visual, but also provides people feedback on their own attractiveness levels
• Halo effect beyond romantic relationships

  • Attractive defendants receiving lower sentences
  • Attractive political candidates appearing more competent