Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Why are some people attractive? I want your thoughts

Based on last weeks lecture, what does everyone think about attractiveness.

How do each of the following principles apply to someone who you have been attracted to?

Propinquity- Mere exposure, proximity- kinda like the song "Love the one your with"

Reciprocity- Liking someone who already likes you. Settling...

Similarity- Similar attitudes, values, interests, beliefs etc..

Beauty- Waist Hip ratio, facial features, symmetrical face, youthfulness, ethnicity etc..

Economic Benefits- 'Social Exchange Theory' maximising benefits by associating with someone of high status, power, looks etc...

I believe that all of this influences us..

In my case, I was initially attracted to my boyfriend (although I was 15 at the time) for several reasons

* Reciprocity- he liked me, showed interest in me and I was flattered
* Propinquity- Lived in my home town, mutual friends,
* Beauty- he had characteristics that I found attractive- and are typically attractive for men- darker skin, prominent lower jaw, large shoulders in comparison to waist and hips, etc

Obviously personality also.....

But I think the similarity may be what has sustained the relationship- I did not know a great deal about him upon first attraction- but liked him more as i began to know him more.

If anyone has any thoughts on attraction/attractiveness please drop me a line.... Thanks

BY THE WAY... JUST F.Y.I...... I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT REAL BEAUTY IS ON THE INSIDE

6 comments:

Mike said...

Hey Beck,

The only principle I disagree with is symmetry. I found the symmetrical face in the lecture did not look real. Maybe it was too symmetrical. I think slight deviations from symmetry give people their uniqueness.

James Neill said...

Beck - maybe you could do a poll about which characteristics people think are most important?

Mike - I agree, but I think it's partly because the example out of the book is not a very good one - although symmetrical, they made the woman's face look very wide across the forehead - will look for a better example. Also, its not as strong an effect as other factors.

Mrs. Freud said...

Hi Beck,

I am especially intrigued by the concept of reciprocity... the idea that you are attracted to someone because they like you. It sounds unreasonable (if you're not attracted to someone, you're just not, right?) But looking back on my relationship history, i've realised that by discovering someone is attracted to you, you are led to consider options that you previously havent considered. I find with attraction, that there's usually some kind of immediate attraction, but that it grows as you get to know someone and their personality, or they fit in with you family, make you laugh, act considerately etc. In response to the symmetrical face comment, i did think the woman with symmetrical features was the more attractive one! Very interesting... maybe Mike and i go for different women :P

Rebekah said...

In response to all comments

Mike- I agree with Mrs Freud, and you. Uniqueness is really important- but I did think the summetrical face was more attractive. I think deformities or large differences may be considered unattractive- but slight deviations from perfect may add character.

I am intrigued by moles (beauty spots) and why they are considered beautiful if they are not summetrical.

Mrs Freud: I agree with the reciprocity thing. In my dating experience sometimes it has helped knowing someone likes you; and sometimes it has hindered.

I remember sometimes findout out someone had a crush on you and being made feel uncomfortable/repulsed just because they liked you.

Its weird... I think maybe the reciprocoty thing only must work if there are other facets of attraction coming into play also.

beck1411 said...

Hi Beck,

I think you are doing a great job with your research and I have been really interested in your topic. Thanks also for the research ideas.
In relation to this post i think that all of these factors contribute to relationship building and the attraction and feeling you feel towards another.
Similarity I think however is something that becomes more important over time, initially you might not know much about someone (like when i met my bf). My partner and I are very different in many ways in these key topics such as cultural practices, religion etc however as time has progressed we have found similarities in our differences (if that makes sense) and this I think helps to balance out our personalities and may add to why we view one another as attractive.
I think that things such as symmetry are involved in our perceptions however they are unconscious processes that our minds work through.

I also found this article which may be of some use of at least back up your other research
http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct05/western.html

Iqra said...

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................