PSYC 334 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Balance Theory, Physical Attractiveness, Reciprocal Liking

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 334
• Professor: Ryan Curtis

Document Summary

The fundamental basis of attraction: we are attracted to people whose presence is rewarding to us. We select our friends, and our enemies, from those around us. Even brief, mere exposure to others usually increases our liking for them. Relationships with distant partners are ordinarily less satisfying than they would be if the partners were nearby. The power of proximity: close proximity makes it more likely that two people will meet and interact, for better or for worse. Our bias for beauty: what is beautiful is good. we assume that attractive people have other desirable personal characteristics. Symmetrical faces with average features are especially beautiful. Waist- to-hip ratios of 0. 7 are very appealing in women whereas a whr of 0. 9 is attractive in a man if he has money. Cross-cultural agreement about beauty, cyclical variations in women"s preferences and behavior, and the link between attractiveness and good health are all consistent with the assumptions of evolutionary psychology.