Physical attractiveness:

• LIMITATION:

  • One limitation is the matching hypothesis is not supported by real-world research into dating
  • Taylor et al 2011 studied the activity logs of a popular online dating site
  • Real-world test of the matching hypothesis as it measured actual date choices and not merely preferences
  • The researchers found that online daters sought meetings with potential partners who were more physically attractive than them

  This undermines the validity of the matching hypothesis because it contradicts the central prediction about matching attractiveness
• STRENGTH:

  • Associated with a halo effect
  • Palmer et al found that physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable and competent than unattractive people
  • This halo effect was so powerful that it persisted even when participants knew that these 'knowledgeable' people had no particular expertise

  This finding has implications for the political process - it suggests there are dangers for democracy if politicians are judged as suitable for office just because they are considered physically attractive by enough voters
• COUNTERPOINT:

  • However choosing individuals for dating could be considered a different situation from selecting a partner for a romantic relationship
  • In fact Feingold carried out a meta-analysis of 17 studies and found a significant correlation in ratings of physical attractiveness between romantic partners
  • Also just because online daters seek more attractive potential partners does not mean that they get them
  • So dating selection may be just as 'fantasy' as it is in laboratory research

  Support for the matching hypothesis from studies of real-world established romantic partners