Matching Hypothesis

Created by: caitlin
Created on: 19-05-14 19:31

Matching Hypothesis (Murstein)

although we may desire the MOST physically attractive partner in theory, in reality we are unlikely to get them or keep them so we are attracted to those who closely MATCH our perceptions of our own level of physical attractiveness

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Walster 1966

Asked students to rate partners selected for them during the dance, there was a questionnaire before hand so students believed they had been paired on similar interests – but it was RANDOMLY allocated.most liking was expressed for the most attractive

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Walster and Walster 1969

ran a follow up to the Computer Dance, but instead allowed participants to meet beforehand in order to give them greater chance to interact and think about their ideal qualities in a partner. the finding was that partners that were similar

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reductionist

reducing complexity of love down to physical features. ignores cultural factors like arranged marriages, blind people, perception & personality)

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Determinist

claims we have no control over our behavior as we naturally chose someone of similar attractiveness.

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Ethical Issues

Informed consent, deception

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Sample Bias/ Unrealistic

Used American students - age specific and ethnocentric / snapshot of relationships, not a real account of the relationship. Lacks ecological validity

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

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Walster 1966

Card 3

Front

Back

Card 4

Front

reducing complexity of love down to physical features. ignores cultural factors like arranged marriages, blind people, perception & personality)

Back

Card 5

Front

claims we have no control over our behavior as we naturally chose someone of similar attractiveness.

Back

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Matching Hypothesis