Discussion for Monday
edwardgoe
MyersChapter11-InterpersonalAttractionPart2-ExternalDeterminants.pptChapter 11
Attraction & Intimacy:
Meeting, Liking, Becoming Acquainted
(Part 2 – External Determinants)
Part Two
External Determinants of Attraction Proximity and Observable Characteristics
“Contrary to popular belief, I do not believe that friends are necessarily the people you like best;
they are merely the people who got there first.”
(Sir Peter Ustinov, 1977)
External Determinants of Attraction
- In this segment, we are going to focus on the external aspects of relationships, including:
1). The power of proximity
2). Observable characteristics
3). Biological aspects of attractiveness
4). Defining attractiveness
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External Determinants of Attraction
- 1). The power of proximity: Unplanned contacts
Proximity refers to the physical distance or closeness between two people, such as …
where they live
where they sit in a classroom
where they work
where they shop
where they exercise
where they go to church
and so on
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External Determinants of Attraction
- 1). The power of proximity: Unplanned contacts
Why does proximity matter? Repeated exposure may be a key
Remember the mere exposure effect?
Frequent contact with positive, neutral, and even mildly negative stimulus usually results in increasingly positive evaluations of that stimulus (though this is unconscious)
Note I said mildly negative. If you really, really hate it, repeated exposure might make you hate it more!
Repeated exposure lacking harmful results increases familiarity, reduces uncertainty, and increases liking
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External Determinants of Attraction
- 1). The power of proximity: Unplanned contacts
Why does proximity matter?
How might proximity affect love relationships? Think about this guy, who weighs the advantages and disadvantages of long distance relationships given our high gas prices
There is an optional (and very sad) video about proximity you can find under supplemental materials
- Let’s look at several facets of observable characteristics now …
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External Determinants of Attraction
- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
A. First impressions can arouse strong affect (either positive or negative) and may overcome the effects of proximity
Although our past experiences, stereotypes, and attributions may not really apply to a new person we are about to meet, we may still use those things to evaluate that new person
Any clown phobics out there?
All clowns are scary, even those you have yet to meet!
How do we respond to physical attractiveness?
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
B. We use physical attractiveness to judge a book by its covers
Physical attractiveness involves a combination of features
Evaluated as beautiful or handsome at the positive end
Evaluated as unattractive at the negative end
Although people rarely fit both extremes, how would your first impressions toward them differ if you saw the same person as attractive or unattractive?
Thank you, Hollywood! …
External Determinants of Attraction
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Gwenyth Paltrow – Shallow Hal
Charlize Theron - Monster
But how do we perceive the attractive and unattractive?
- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
C. People hold stereotypes based on people’s appearance
Most people associate attractive men and women with being interesting, sociable, exciting, well-adjusted, and successful
“What is beautiful is good” is a common stereotype
External Determinants of Attraction
But what is “good” is socially derived. What about inner beauty? The movie “Shallow Hal” with Jack Black has an interesting idea about this
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
C. People hold stereotypes based on people’s appearance
Are attractiveness stereotypes accurate? Who knows!
Attractiveness IS associated with popularity, high self-esteem, and interpersonal skills
But these associations may result from how others treat attractive people
Remember the self-fulfilling prophecy?
Maybe this is happening!
Consider this study …
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
In one study, men were led to believe (falsely) that their phone partner was either very attractive or not attractive.
The men behaved consistently with this belief:
Attractive partner men acted sociable and friendly
Unattractive partner men acted less sociable and friendly
The woman responded in kind
If he behaved warmly toward her, then she behaved warmly and sociably toward him
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
C. People hold stereotypes based on people’s appearance
Thus it is possible that attractive people respond in warm and friendly manners (confirming the stereotype) because others act friendly and warm toward them
The self-fulfilling prophecy … fulfilled!
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
C. People hold stereotypes based on people’s appearance
But there are exceptions to positive stereotypes regarding attractive people
Beautiful women may be seen as vain or materialistic
Only attractive male (not female) political candidates are more likely to be elected
So beauty only goes so far. But what about culture? …
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
D. What about cultural aspects of beauty?
Although positive stereotypes are related to attractiveness, the content of what is attractive differ according to the traits, beliefs, and values of each specific culture
External Determinants of Attraction
Large ear decorations in some cultures
Long necks in others
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
D. What about cultural aspects of beauty?
Although positive stereotypes are related to attractiveness, the content of what is attractive differ according to the traits, beliefs, and values of each specific culture
External Determinants of Attraction
It even happens in the animal kingdom when the lions get jealous of giraffes!
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
D. What about cultural aspects of beauty?
Judgments of beauty change over time, across cultures, and across circumstances.
Beauty may simply be in the eye of the beholder!
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 2). Observable characteristics: Instant evaluations also matter
D. What about cultural aspects of beauty?
Judgments of beauty change over time, across cultures, and across circumstances.
External Determinants of Attraction
How do these portraits compare to current ideals of feminine beauty?
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- 3). Biological aspects of attractiveness
Three lines of research suggest that the appeal of physically attractiveness may be biological
A. Infants (2-months old!) look longer at faces considered attractive than at faces considered unattractive
B. There is cross-cultural consistency of what is beautiful
C. Some features are consistently and reliably associated with attractiveness.
That is, regardless of race or culture, are the following people attractive? …
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 3). Biological aspects of attractiveness
Men “prefer” healthy women who can produce healthy offspring Surface indicators of reproductive ability and health include …
Youthfulness
Attractiveness
Women “prefer” men who have healthy resources. Typical indicators of healthy resources include
Older men
Money and status
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 3). Biological aspects of attractiveness
Note that the “preferences” on the prior slide appear to have some cross-cultural consistency, but that the availability of partners who fit the “mold” is limited
Also note that this is a biological drive, and can be overridden by our cognitions, culture, social, and personal drives
- That being said, do you notice a pattern among these couples? …
External Determinants of Attraction
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Yeah, we may think this internally, but who really says it aloud?
Imagine the Personal Ads for These People!
Her Ad: “Sexy blonde bombshell, 5’7” ,slender, seeking friend / lover / companion. You must be confident, financially secure, mature, and willing to please”
His Ad: “White male, 50, looking for female to be spoiled and pampered in palatial home. Please be 21-29 and have extremely sexy figure”
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
A. Observable characteristics
Two different procedures are used to determine what facial features are associated with attractiveness
First, identifying attractive individuals and discovering the characteristics that they share
Waist-to-hip ratio of .7 for women (Playboy Models)
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
A. Observable characteristics
Two different procedures are used to determine what facial features are associated with attractiveness
First, identifying attractive individuals and discovering the characteristics that they share
Men find “baby-faced” features attractive in women: Big eyes and forehead, round cheeks, a small nose, a wide smile. For example …
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
A. Observable characteristics
Two different procedures are used to determine what facial features are associated with attractiveness
Second, creating a composite image of combined faces
Attractiveness seems focused on facial symmetry and average, so adding faces together can smooth out the “rough edges” in people’s faces. Consider …
External Determinants of Attraction
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4 Faces
8 Faces
16 Faces
32 Faces
4 Faces
8 Faces
16 Faces
32 Faces
Below are “average” faces composited together. Don’t they
seem to become more attractive as more faces are included?
64 Female Faces: Composite
64 Male Faces: Composite
And now: The Freakiest Composite You Will Ever See!
- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
A. Observable characteristics (all optional below)
Want to try your own hand at “compositing” faces? You can do so through an interactive website. Find the link under supplemental materials (optional) and see what kinds of “freaks” you can create!
You can also find a link to a facial symmetry and attractiveness Ted Talk under supplemental materials
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
A. Observable characteristics
Neatness and the color of one’s clothing, men’s facial hair, observable disabilities, eyeglasses, perceived age, and actions that suggest mental illness can al influence attractiveness ratings
Men’s height also makes a difference …
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
A. Observable characteristics
Men’s height is perceived to be related to qualities such as leadership, virility, and masculinity
People tend to elect the tallest (and most attractive) candidate who is running for president
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
B. Observable characteristics – your own attractiveness ratings
Your judgments of your own attractiveness usually do not align with other’s judgments of your attractiveness, but two people usually agree when rating a third person
Greatest agreement occurs when men are judging the attractiveness of a woman
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
C. Situational characteristics
Objects someone has just seen (like photos of attractive people) influence their ratings of others (recall priming!)
A person recently exposed to exceptionally beautiful people are more critical of other people’s looks than a person exposed to average looking people
This also involves social comparison effects (Chapter 7)
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
C. Situational characteristics
Research in bars has found that bar patrons appear more attractive to potential partners as closing time nears!
Of course, there are lots of explanations for this:
The good looking people leave early (go home with the other good looking people!)
Alcohol makes everyone look more attractive!
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
D. Behavioral characteristics
A youthful walking style
A firm handshake
Animated behavior
Active participation in discussions
Modesty …
… all are associated with positive responses from others
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
D. Behavioral characteristics
Men who act in dominant, authoritative, and / or competitive manners in initial encounters are liked better than those who appear submissive and noncompetitive
However, after several interactions, men who are pro-social and sensitive are preferred
Bad boys intrigue women, but they marry good guys!
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
E. Behavioral AND observable characteristics
A person’s physique is related to stereotypes that affect their attractiveness even when there is no relationship between physique and personality
Excess fat is the least favored physique in the US, and obesity is stigmatized
It can even be associated with someone who is near a person who is obese (that priming effect again!)
External Determinants of Attraction
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- 4). So what IS attractive? Defining “attractiveness”
E. Behavioral AND observable characteristics
A person’s physique is related to stereotypes that affect their attractiveness even when there is no relationship between physique and personality
People who eat healthy food are judged as more likeable and morally superior than those who eat “junk food.”
External Determinants of Attraction
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- Of course, internal and external determinants of attraction are not mutually exclusive. That is, they often overlap. In Part 3, we will look further at that overlap, seeing how both similarity and mutual evaluations impact attraction.
External Determinants of Attraction
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