Physical attractiveness

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  • Physical attractiveness
    • Buss’s research shows that physical attractiveness is very important for men in choosing a mate.
    • Research suggests that women also rate attractiveness highly for short-term relationships, but less for long-term relationship.
    • Matching hypothesis
      • When people look for a partner, they look for someone whose social desirability equals their own.
      • Attractive people rate their own potential and then select people who are most likely to be attracted to them.
      • By choosing someone with similar social desirability this creates a high chance of having their affection reciprocated.
      • Attraction towards another person in the early stages depends on cues that indicate social Desirability. 
      • Physical attractiveness becomes the major indicator as it’s accessible for each person to rate the other.
      • Walster - The computer dance study (1966)
        • When giving their data an observer  marked them on attractiveness After 2 hours with their dates p's were asked about their feelings.
        • P's responded well to dates who were rated as attractive (personality/ intelligence weren't important)
        • Students attended a dance in where they would be  provided with an ‘ideal match', (they were randomly assigned)
        • Doesn't support matching hypothesis as P's should've liked others rated equally attractive to them
    • Evaluation
      • Men with physically attractive wives are happier in their marriage.
      • No evidence of P asking others based upon their attractiveness, instead P messaged P who they found more desirable.
      • Physical attractiveness is one quality.  A person may compensate with by being kind, funny, or rich
      • Knowing that men place a high emphasis on physical attractiveness could lead to pressure on women to try to maintain  looks
      • Men and women had different preferences for mates before speed-dating, but no sex differences in attractiveness influence on romantic interest

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