Factors affecting attraction: physical attractiveness

• attraction


  Shackleford and Larsen (1997) suggested that there are certain physical traits that we are predetermined to find attractive

  E.g. females with child-like faces as this triggers a protective trait in men, and facial symmetry, this signifies a high quality mate due to displayed genetic fitness
• halo effect 


  suggests that we tend to associate highly attractive people with pre-conceived positive characteristics, including personality and wealth - although they may not be linked

  These beliefs increase the likelihood that such attractive people develop these traits, so displays the process of a self-fulfilling prophecy
• Matching hypothesis

  • we cannot all mate with the most attractive people
  • suggests the key to a successful relationship is striking a balance between attractiveness and the realistic chances of attaining such a mate
  • relies on the assessment of own attractiveness, we are more likely to have a mate of similar attractiveness to us
  • this reduces likelihood of rejection and the disappointment of a less attractive mate
• (strength) Palmer and Peterson

  • they found that even when participants were informed tat images of physically attractive people had little knowledge of politics, participants still judged them as people who were politically skilled and trustworthy
  • this has implications on the state of politics, where the success of some parties can be explained by the halo effect
  • suggests there are real-life applications associated with an increased understanding of the halo effect and its influence on perception
• (strength) Cunningham et al

  • though physical attraction is a broad term, it is not affected by cultural relativism, with both individualist and collectivist cultures finding similar features attractive
  • these features include large eyes, high eyebrows, sharp cheek bones
  • this was applicable across both Asian and Western respondents, as shown by Wheeler and Kim
• Feingold (1988)


  found supportive evidence for the matching hypothesis by carrying out a meta-analysis of 17 studies using real-life couples

  he established a strong correlation between the parents ratings of attractiveness, as predicted by the matching hypothesis
• Taylor et al (2011)


  investigated activity log on dating website and found that users are more likely to try arrange meeting with potential partner that was more attractive than them

  the findings contradict the matching hypothesis, according to the MH, users should seek more dates with people who are similar in attractiveness