Although physical attraction is a relatively broad term, it is not affected extensively by cultural relativism, with both individualist and collectivist cultures finding similar features attractive
eg large eyes, high eyebrows, sharp cheekbones-
applicable across both Asian and Western male respondents, as demonstrated in research
attractive relatively constant and can be generalised across cultures without the risk of imposed etic
LIMITATION-walster, methological issues
use of questionaires(strengths and limitations) quantative data(strengths and limitations)
ethical issues- deception, didnt know they were being ranked, risk of psychological harm
CBA needed
LIMITATION-alternative explanation
complex matching
other desireable characteristics eg kindness, status, money ect can compensate for a lack of physical attractiveness
eg typical attractive women with unattractive but wealthy older man
inconclusive explanation and a more idiographic approach needs to be taken in order to consider individual differences