A Discussion of Psychological Research

Much research into interpersonal attraction appears to suggest that a main contributing factor to whether we are attracted to someone or not is physical attractiveness; at least in the initial stages of relationship formation.

It has been argued that physical attributes effect interpersonal attraction through the development of a positive sterotype i.e.: The Halo Effect. This is where physical attractive people are seen as being for example, sexually warmer and more sociable, Feingold, 1992.

Research to support this concept has been carried out worldwide showing cultural significance within the term. For example, Wheeler and Kim, 1997 found that Korean, American and Canadian students who were perceived as being more attractive were rated as more sociable and friendly than non-attractive students.

The halo effect has even been suggested as being visible in crime convictions. Stewart 1980 found that lighter criminal sentences were given to those people who were perceived as being physically attractive. Landy and Signall, 1974 too found that the same essay written by an attractive student did better.

However, research has opposed the halo effect in that for example, attractive women have been viewed as egoistic and materialistic, Dermer and Theil, 1975. Not only this, but in addition Stewarts study is the study of Sigall and Ostrove, 1975, which shows how attractive female criminals whose crime was related to their physical attributes gained longer sentences. This research tends to suggest that the Halo effect is not always present.

Walster theorised The Matching Hypothesis, which argues that people choose partners that they perceive to be the "same" as them in terms of physical attractiveness. He tested his hypothesis with the computer dance study, where students completed questionnaires so that they could be paired with partners similar to themselves. The pairing was in fact carried out randomly, and then partners were asked at the end of the first date whether they wished to see each other again. However, the overriding factor in the decision was physical attractiveness rather than matching. Although, when later given choice, and allowed to meet before hand matching became apparent, Walster and Walster. The matching hypothesis has been extended as far as intelligence and wealth when discussing interpersonal attraction.

The halo effect appears evident within initial attraction whereas, matching is suggested as being more visible later in interpersonal attraction.

Evolutionary/sociobiological explanations are seen by some psychologists as having a profound effect on interpersonal attraction.