Chapter 7 - Attraction

What is the strength of liking or loving for another person called?

Interpersonal attraction

What are the three variables that attraction researchers study?

Beauty, sex, and evolution.

What study showed that physical attractiveness was the most important factor in initial liking?

Walster’s "computer dance" study.

What does research say about infants’ reactions to faces?

Infants prefer to look at faces that adults consider attractive.

What positive traits are often attributed to attractive people?

Sociability, altruism, and intelligence.

What are the universal preferences for physical attractiveness?

Youthful features, symmetry, and averageness.

What facial features are considered youthful?

Large, round eyes, small nose and chin, prominent cheekbones, and a large forehead.

Why is facial symmetry considered attractive?

It may indicate health and good genes.

What is the term for the preference for averaged faces over unique ones?

Facial averageness.

What additional features often enhance physical attractiveness?

Healthy skin, good teeth, a smiling expression, and good grooming.

How do cultural norms influence attractiveness?

Attractiveness standards vary between cultures and over time.

What are men evolutionarily predisposed to prioritize in women’s appearance?

Youth and fertility.

What waist-to-hip ratio is generally considered attractive in women?

A low waist-to-hip ratio (hourglass shape).

Why do women tend to prioritize social status in a partner?

It may enhance access to resources and stability.

What stereotype attributes positive qualities to physically attractive people?

The physical attractiveness stereotype (or attractiveness halo effect).

What is a potential downside of the physical attractiveness stereotype?

Attractive people may be judged less competent in certain serious contexts.

Why is similarity important in relationships?

It makes interactions easier and validates shared values.

What do studies show about couples and similarity?

Couples often share similar traits such as education, values, and socioeconomic status.

How does similarity reinforce self-concept?

Similar values and beliefs in others validate our own self-identity.

What principle explains the pairing of people with similar levels of physical attractiveness?

Social exchange theory.

What phenomenon explains why we tend to like those we see frequently?

The mere exposure effect.

How does proximity influence relationships?

It increases the likelihood of forming connections due to repeated interactions.

How does familiarity impact liking?

Familiarity tends to evoke more positive feelings and reduces perceived threat.

What type of arousal polarizes attraction judgments?

Physiological arousal.

What is an example of misattributing arousal to attraction?

Participants on a wobbly bridge finding the interviewer more attractive.

What emotional factor strongly influences interpersonal attraction?

Positive moods enhance liking.

How does associational learning relate to attractiveness?

Positive traits associated with attractive people "rub off" on those around them.

What are common gender differences in mate preferences?

Men prioritize youth and appearance, women prioritize status and resources.

How does evolutionary theory explain preferences for symmetrical faces?

Symmetry signals health and genetic fitness.

What is the relationship between familiarity and liking?

People tend to like others who feel familiar and similar to their ingroup.

What happens when someone becomes too familiar?

They may become less interesting or boring.

How does mood indirectly influence attraction?

Good moods create an overall positive experience, enhancing liking.

What study involved students rating confederates in a classroom?

Moreland and Beach's mere-exposure experiment.

What term describes preference for things with moderate familiarity?

Optimal familiarity.

Why might attractive people develop better social skills?

Positive treatment creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.

How does social context influence liking?

Emotional responses to the environment shape our judgments of others.

What is a key takeaway from Walster’s "computer dance" study?

Intelligence and other characteristics mattered less than physical attractiveness.

What role does evolutionary psychology play in understanding attraction?

It highlights traits linked to reproductive success and survival.

What is the principle of proximity liking?

People are more likely to form relationships with those they encounter often.

What is an example of how preferences for attractiveness have evolved?

Western cultures increasingly value thinness and athletic builds over time.

What is the "attractiveness halo effect"?

It is the tendency to attribute positive qualities, such as kindness and intelligence, to attractive people.

Why might people prefer "average" faces?

Average faces combine features from multiple individuals, making them more symmetrical and generally more appealing.

What is the significance of health markers in attractiveness?

Traits such as clear skin and good grooming signal health and fertility, which are evolutionarily attractive.

How does the principle of reciprocal liking impact attraction?

People tend to be more attracted to those who show they like them back, reinforcing mutual affection.

How does physical proximity influence romantic and platonic relationships?

Frequent close contact increases opportunities for interaction, leading to greater familiarity and attraction.

How does culture influence perceptions of attractiveness?

Cultural standards shape preferences, such as valuing body types or skin tones that signify status or health in different societies.

What is "optimal distinctiveness" in attraction?

It is the balance between being familiar enough to feel safe but distinct enough to spark interest.

What role does emotional stability play in attraction?

People are drawn to emotionally stable individuals because they provide security and predictability in relationships.

How does arousal misattribution influence attraction?

Physiological arousal, like from excitement or fear, can be misattributed to attraction toward another person.

How does symmetry relate to evolutionary fitness?

Symmetry in facial and body features is often seen as an indicator of good health and genetic quality.