factors affecting attraction - physical attractiveness

Question 1

key term
matching hypothesis

Answer 1

claims when people look for a partner for a romantic relationship they tend to look for someone whose social desirability approx equals their own

Question 2

assumption of physical attractiveness

Answer 2

• Buss’ research on partner preferences showed men value physical attractiveness in long term as promotes fertility
• recent research shown that women place importance on attractiveness too
• women rely on attractiveness for short-term romantic relationship but with long term it becomes less important

Question 3

matching hypothesis

Answer 3

• introduced by Walster and Walster claiming when starting romantic relationship individuals seek out partners whose social desirability equals their own
• when choosing a partner, individuals must first assess own ‘value’ in the eyes of potential romantic partner then select best available candidate who will be attracted back
• maximise chances of successful outcome

Question 4

matching hypothesis & physical attractiveness

Answer 4

• over time MH associated with physical attractiveness
• people would match with those who similar in terms of physical attractiveness
• Walster referred to these mating choices as ‘realistic’ as affection likely to be reciprocated
• realistic choices consider factors like ideals, alternatives, reciprocation

Question 5

key study - Walster procedure

Answer 5

• tested MH by advertising ‘computer dance’ for new students at Minnesota uni
• large number of students purchased tickets but 178 males and 170 females chosen
• 4 student accomplices complete questionnaire about them & told this info would match them to ideal partner
• pairing done randomly
• during dance completed questionnaire about their date & 6 months later

Question 6

key study - Walster findings

Answer 6

• findings didn’t support MH
• once pps met dates, responded well if physically attractive regardless of own level of attractiveness
• pps likely to arrange subsequent dates if partner attractive
• factors like personality & intelligence didn’t affect liking their dates

Question 7

evaluation 1

Answer 7

RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR SEX DIFFERENCES: males value attractiveness so much, research should show men with physically attractive partners are satisfied in relationship. Meltzzer gave support for this. Physical attractiveness of wives positively correlated to husbands’ satisfaction at start of marriage & fir 4 years min after. Women’s rating of their husband’s attractiveness didn’t positively correlate with level of satisfaction
STRENGTH: men clearly value this but women don’t
IMPLICATION OF SEX DIFFERENCES: Meltzer claims if attractiveness is so important for men, women could experiences increased pressures to maintain this but attractiveness is not only predictor of marital satisfaction for men. Also desire supportive/trustworthy partners.
LIMIT: less attractive women who have other desirable characteristics have partners who are still satisfied

Question 8

evaluation 2

Answer 8

RESEARCH SUPPORT: online dating shows people are not interested in getting with someone who matches their own physical attraction, they just want someone attractive
MATCHING NOT IMPORTANT: some doubt value of MH in attraction. in study of online dating patterns, has been no evidence that daters’ decisions driven by a similarity between their own & a partners’ physical attractiveness. instead, overall preference for attractive partners
LIMIT: people don’t take own attractiveness into account when picking a partner