Topic 11.5: Attraction

Interpersonal attraction

•A number of predictors:

•Proximity.

–physical nearness.

•Similarity:

–extent to which we have things in common with others.

–Couples are often correlated on psychological measures.

•Reciprocity.

–rule of give and take.

Males place more emphasis on looks and younger mates whereas females place an emphasis on financial resources and older mates

•Both males and females place a premium on intelligence, dependability, and kindness.

•Evolutionary vs. social role models of explanation.

•Cross culturally, men and women tend to agree on who is and is not attractive.

•Men like hip-to-waist ratios around .7, females like higher ones.

•There are, however cultural preferences for things like body size.

•The more “average” a face is, the more highly rated it is as attractive.

•Holds up across cultures.

•Averageness could indicate lack of genetic mutation.

Love

•Theorists don’t agree on the types of love

•Hatfield and Rapson’s theory

–Passionate love: love marked by powerful, even overwhelming, longing for one’s partner

–Companionate love: love marked by a sense of deep friendship and fondness for one’s partner

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