Dr. Maya Staylor
Speech 26
17 September 2020
Interpersonal Communications Paper #1: Matching Hypothesis
Why is it that happy couples look so perfect together? People strive to find their perfect match for a happily ever after and in most instances, physical appearance plays a major factor when finding a potential match. It’s usually the first thing someone notices when meeting someone new. Especially in the dating world, physical appearance heavily matters when impressing the other person during the initial dating phase. The matching hypothesis focuses on the idea that someone with similar perceptions of looks is more likely to be in a relationship with someone else with those same perceptions (Wrench et al.). I believe that the matching hypothesis is a strong preliminary factor when selecting partners for that happily ever after. I will be discussing how romantic relationships involve the matching hypothesis in the society as well as in my everyday life.
The notion of “opposites attract” generally does not work when finding a significant other (Wrench et al.). The matching hypothesis is quite the opposite. It is the concept that romantic relationships occur among those with similar physical attractiveness. This hypothesis was coined by Elain Walster and her colleagues in the 1960s (Wrench et al.). Matching hypothesis originally only referred to the physical attractiveness between two people but it expanded to encompass other variables of attraction, including socioeconomic status, familial values, religious views or career goals (Wrench et al.). People believe it is easier to connect with a potential partner if their views were more alike compared to being opposites. From a study done by Shepherd and Ellis, individual pictures of married couples were mixed together and a group of people matched the couples up based on physical appearance (Wrench et al.). Conclusively, there was a direct relationship between each partner’s physical attractiveness with the other (Wrench et al.). It is seen that people naturally gravitate towards others that have comparable appearances, especially in the Hollywood dating scene.
Based on cliché society, beautiful people connect with other beautiful people. Hollywood is all about the glitz and glam of physical appearances when it comes to the dating scene. An example would be Brad Pitt’s, the actor, dating life. Physical appearance wise, Pitt transformed his looks during each of his public relationships with other actresses, especially during his relationships with Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, and Gwyneth Paltrow (Baliūnaitė). The couple’s photos would have matching style of clothing, hairstyle, and accessories, each unique to their individual style preferences. Pitt’s doppelganger activity took social media by storm and was a huge buzz in the past (Baliūnaitė). However, Pitt’s relationships did not last long besides his marriage with Angelina Jolie, which exemplifies the notion that physical attractiveness is the initial criteria when searching for a romantic partner. Another example of matching hypothesis is Nicky Hilton, a member of the Hilton chain hotel family, and her husband, James Rothschild, a member of the infamous Rothschild banker family. Based off of pictures, the perception of their physical attractiveness are very similar. They also are alike in terms of socioeconomic status, career views, familial values, and business-minded backgrounds. The two have been happily married for 5 years. This shows that not only physical appearance but also other variables are indeed “a factor that impacts many people’s ultimate dating selection ability” (Wrench et al.).
The matching hypothesis can be seen in everyday lives as well. I have friends who have equal perceptions of attractiveness and have been happily dating or married for years. I even see the matching hypothesis representative in my own romantic relationship. When I first met my boyfriend, my perceptions of physically attractiveness of him and I were compatible. I understand my own beauty and I believe that we match very well. We lead a healthy lifestyle, are similar in age and of Asian descent. As I got to know him more, I learned that we share similar goals in careers, education, religious views and familial values. We want to follow a career in helping others; I want to help animals via veterinary medicine, and he wants to help humans rehabilitate after accidents or surgery via physical therapy. Our school timeline matches up, finishing graduate school around the same time. Our personalities are different but it is the similarities in values that make the relationship compatible. We have been happily dating for 3 years. My romantic relationship shows support of the matching hypothesis.
Similarities help find common ground between a relationship. Resemblance “promotes feelings of mutual rapport and positive sentiment” which further rewards a relationship to continue and blossom (Matching). The matching hypothesis emphasize on the concept that people form relationships with other individuals based off of mutual perceptions of attractiveness. It is an informative concept that is widely proven in society, seen in both famous public couples as well as ordinary couples. The mutual connection of attributes between a happy couple are the reasons why they are a picture perfect couple and a match made in heaven.
Works Cited
Baliūnaitė, Ilona. Someone Just Noticed That Brad Pitt Always Looks Like The Woman He's Dating, And We Can't Unsee It Now. 1 Jan. 1968, www.boredpanda.com/brad-pitt-girlfriends-funny-fashion-similarities/?utm_source=google.
“Matching Hypothesis - IResearchNet.” Psychology, 23 Jan. 2016, psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/interpersonal-relationships/matching-hypothesis/.
Wrench, J.S., Punyanunt-Carter, N.M., Thweatt, K.S. Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships. E-book, Creative Commons Attribution, 2020.