Psychology 2035A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: David Buss, Physical Attractiveness, Avail

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2035A/B
• Professor: Sarah Babcock

Document Summary

Describe typical characteristics of close relationships and explain the paradox of close relationships. Close relationships: relationships that are important, interdependent, and long lasting. Paradox of close relationships: related to well-being, happiness, health, but also to abuse, deception, and rejection. Discuss the roles of proximity, familiarity, and physical attractiveness in initial attraction. Attraction is the initial desire to form a close relationship. Familiarity: mere exposure effect: increase in positive feelings toward a novel stimulus based on frequent exposure to it. Familiarity can lead to decreased attraction if the target person becomes less appealing or more competitive. Physical attractiveness: men and women rank attractive appearance as the most important characteristic for a sexual partner. Explain what is known about aspects of physical attractiveness, the matching hypothesis, and attractiveness as a resource. What makes someone attractive: neonate (baby-face) qualities. Large eyes, prominent cheekbones, small nose, full lips: mature features. Capacity to form a relationship (how good a fit you think the person is)