Physical attractiveness

Question 1

Why is physical attractiveness important?

Answer 1

It plays a significant role in human social interaction and can have an impact on various psychological processes

Question 2

What is the halo effect?

Answer 2

• It is the cognitive bias where people tend to assume that if someone is attractive in one area, they are likely to be equally attractive in other areas.
• Dion et al (2002) > attractive people are consistently rated as successful, kind and sociable in comparison to unattractive people

Question 3

What two types of faces do we find physically attractive and why?

Answer 3

• Neotenous faces (baby faces,big eyes, small nose, etc) as it elicited an instinct of care and protectiveness.
• Symmetrical faces as it shows genetic fitness

Question 4

What is the matching hypothesis?

Answer 4

The concept that we do not select the most attractive person but the person who approximately matches us/ equal to or similar level of physical attractiveness. This allows them to create more realistic choices.

Question 5

How is the halo effect a good example of a self fulfilling prophecy in relationships?

Answer 5

If we believe that physically attractive people have other positive qualities, we will behave more positively towards them. This elicits positive behaviour from them.

Question 6

Physical attractiveness research support: Elaine Walter computer dance

Answer 6

• Male and female students were invited to a dance. They were rated for physical attractiveness by objective observers. A computer would generate a partner.
• The hypothesis was not supported but in a replication study, autonomy of choice proved the hypothesis right

Question 7

Physical attractiveness research support: Palmer and Peterson (2012)

Answer 7

• They found that physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable and competent than unattractive people. The halo effect was so powerful that it persisted even when participants knew that these knowledgable people had no particular expertise.
• Shoes that man perceive physically attractive people as ‘perfect’ even when they are aware that they have no expertise. This study supports the theory.
• This would increase the validity of the explanation.

Question 8

Physical attractiveness contradictory evidence: Taylor (2011)

Answer 8

• Research studied the activity logs of a popular online dating site. It was a real life test of the matching hypothesis because it measured actual date choices rather than preferences. Online daters sought meeting with potential partners who were more attractive than them.
• This means that not everybody would go for someone with similar attractiveness.
• This reduces the validity of the explanation as it does not apply to all people.

Question 9

Physical attractiveness: Culture bias

Answer 9

• Cunningham (1995) found that female features of large eyes, small nose and high eyebrows were as highly attractive by white, Hispanic and Asian males.
• Wheeler and Kim (1997) found that Korean and American students judged physically attractive people to be more trustworthy, concerned for other people, mature and friendly.
• Means that physical attractiveness is subjective to each individual and culture, so it cannot be generalised to all people as they all have different preferences.
• This theory has elements of culture bias and lacks external validity since beauty standards differ