Attraction and Love Lecture Review
Announcements
Assignment #1 is due today by midnight.
A test is scheduled for next Thursday.
It will consist of 35 multiple choice questions.
Students must bring a #2 pencil.
The test will only cover lecture material.
Review from Last Time
Finished the discussion of passionate love, including its duration.
Introduced Companionate Love.
Examined changes in love over time.
Began the topic of Attraction.
Discussed the Fundamental Principle of attraction.
Explored the role of Rewards in attraction, distinguishing between Direct and Indirect rewards.
Started the deep dive into Physical Attractiveness.
Physical Attractiveness: Its Broad Impact
Moms and babies (Langlois, Ritter, Casey, & Sawin, 1995):
Studies illustrate that mothers exhibit increased affection and playful behavior towards infants they perceive as more physically attractive. This differential treatment, observed from a very early age, underscores the pervasive and often unconscious influence of physical attractiveness on caregiving and interaction styles.
Preschoolers (Dion & Berscheid, 1974):
Research indicates that attractive preschoolers receive less severe judgment for misbehavior from both teachers and peers. This demonstrates a clear 'halo effect,' where positive physical attributes can lead to more favorable social perceptions and more lenient responses to undesirable behaviors.
Adulthood (1980's studies):
Research suggests that physically attractive adults are often perceived as more competent, sociable, and intelligent. They tend to receive various advantages, such as higher salaries, better job opportunities, and more positive social interactions in professional and social settings.
Popularity and Loneliness:
Studies consistently show a strong correlation between physical attractiveness and social popularity, with attractive individuals generally reporting higher levels of social interaction and lower levels of loneliness across different age groups.
How We Decide What's Attractive (General Principles)
Symmetry: Faces and bodies exhibiting bilateral symmetry are often rated as more attractive, as symmetry can be an indicator of good health and genetic fitness. Deviations from symmetry can signal developmental instability or genetic mutations, making symmetric individuals appear healthier and more robust.
Averageness: Faces that are a composite of many faces, representing the average features of a population, are often rated as more attractive. Averageness is perceived as familiar, easy to process by the brain, and may signal genetic diversity and a lack of unusual or potentially undesirable traits.
Stereotypes about Physical Attractiveness: The "What is Beautiful is Good" stereotype suggests that attractive individuals are automatically assumed to possess other positive traits. They are often perceived as:
More competent, intelligent, and successful.
More sociable, friendly, and kind.
More confident and assertive.
Conversely, they might also be stereotyped as vain, materialistic, or promiscuous, though positive stereotypes tend to dominate.
The Matching Hypothesis: This hypothesis suggests that people tend to form romantic relationships with partners who are similar in physical attractiveness. The matching process is thought to occur due to:
A desire for equity in relationships, where partners feel they are receiving and giving similar levels of social value.
A fear of rejection from individuals perceived as significantly more attractive.
Realistic assessments of one's own attractiveness and the likelihood of success with partners of different attractiveness levels.
Couples with Similar Levels of Attractiveness:
Research largely supports the matching hypothesis, showing that established couples tend to be similar in physical attractiveness ratings.
When there is a mismatch in physical attractiveness, it is often compensated by other desirable traits or resources from the less attractive partner (e.g., wealth, status, humor, intelligence, kindness). This implies that overall 'mate value' is often balanced.
Time Matters: Attractiveness Changes Over Time:
While initial attraction might be heavily influenced by physical appearance, the importance of physical attractiveness can evolve within a relationship.
As partners get to know each other, non-physical traits such as personality, kindness, intelligence, and shared values become increasingly influential in determining perceived attractiveness and relationship satisfaction.
Long-term relationships may see partners become more attractive to each other as their bond deepens and they appreciate deeper qualities, sometimes even leading to a perceived physical enhancement stemming from emotional connection.
Sex Differences in Basis of Attractiveness🇦
Beauty for Status Trade- Why?
For men evaluating women: Men tend to place a greater emphasis on physical attractiveness, especially cues related to youth and fertility (e.g., clear skin, bright eyes, good body symmetry, a favorable waist-to-hip ratio). This is often explained by evolutionary theories related to reproductive potential.
For women evaluating men: Women tend to place a greater emphasis on resource acquisition and protection cues (e.g., ambition, financial prospects, stability, social status), as well as kindness, intelligence, and a sense of humor. Evolutionary theories suggest this is linked to securing resources and security for offspring.