Physical attractivness: factor of attraction

What is the importance of physical attractiveness

Related to sexual selection suggested by evolutionary explanation

Symmetrical faces= rated as more attractive as may be signal of genetic fitness

Men attracted to neotenous baby face features eg wide large ayes, small chin and nose= trigger protective or caring instinct from men+ valuable resource for females wanting to reproduce

What is the halo effect?

Cognitive bias= ppl judged to b attractive perceived in positive light

Dion et al 1972 attractive ppl rated as successful kind and sociable compared 2 unattractive = believe attractive ppl physically attractive and expect desirable characteristics and tend 2 behave more postively towards them

What’s the matching hypothesis?

Ppl attracted 2 ppl similar to them in physical attractiveness

Take into account our own attractiveness value to others when seeking a potential romantic partner

Balances wish 2 avoid being rejected by someone out of league w opportunity for affection 2 be reciprocated by someone similar in attractiveness

Research support fo evolutionary processes

Cunningham et al 1955

Females w big eyes prominent cheekbones small nose= attractive by white hispanic and Asian males

Consistent across diff cultures

Attractive features sign of genetic fitness= sexually selected in all cultures = stereotype strong in both collectivist and individualst

UNIVERSAL AND INNATE

=suppports nature side of nature nurture =biological rather than env

Research support halo effect

Palmer and Peterson 2012

Attractive ppl rated more politically knowledgable + competent

Halo effect so strong persisted even when ppants knew knowledgeable ppl had no expertise

Suggests physical attractiveness v imp

Suggests dangers of democracy =politicians suitable just cause attractive

Individual differences matching hypothesis

Indiv diffs of imp of physical attractiveness for relationships

Towhey 1979 ppants strangers photos and some biographical info

Rated how much they like the person , sexists attitudes also measured via questionnaire

Physical attractiveness more imp for sexist attitude ppl

Suggests may not be sig factor in attractiveness while Matching hypothesis suggests always main one

NOMOTHETIC APPROACH not suitable, idiographic more so