The psychology of attraction...

Attraction occurs on a variety of biological, intellectual, and social planes. For example, physically pheromones are know to cause a positive chemical reaction between two members of the opposite sex while intellectually individuals evaluate a potential mate based upon factors such as whether or not they are compatible with his or her lifestyle, such as being a smoker or nonsmoker or a mountain climber versus a bookworm (Pinel, 2006, p. 177). Socially the affect-attraction effect plays an important role. Affect-attraction is the emotional response that a person has to another person based upon how the other individual makes him or her feel about herself or how a person is able to project their feelings about a particular social situation upon another person who is not responsible for those feelings ( Baron, Byrne, & Branscombe, 2006, p. 263).

There are a variety of factors that contribute to and promote attraction as well as selection criteria that influence romantic attraction. For example, it has been noted that although men may value financial security and success in their female partners, a female’s attractiveness is consistently important. Additionally, even when a relationship has reached a mature state of three years of monogamy, the male in a “Relationships and Love” research video expressed his value of his spouse’s attractiveness (Laureate Education, 2007). However, he also discussed his attractiveness to her “sweet, understanding, and kind” personality. His wife did not comment on the attractiveness of her husband from a physical standpoint; rather she commented on how well he treats her, which also could include him living up to her expectations of being a gentleman and a provider.

The opinions expressed in the videos are fairly consistent with the definition of selection criteria for males and females explained by Baron, Byrne, and Branscombe (2006, p. 311). They concluded that men prefer to select women that are youthful and have beautiful traits such as a symmetrical face or long, shiny hair as this represents potential reproductive capability. Further, women are more likely to select men who fit the criteria of being financially stable, intelligent, dominant, and in a high social position because this represents the ability to provide for, and protect, the woman and her offspring ( B aron, Byrne, & Branscombe, 2006, p. 312).

Although these theories sound a bit barbaric and from the Neanderthal period, they still hold true today. For example, men do biologically and psychological respond to the physical traits of a woman such as her hip to waist ratio as a sign of attractiveness and women do look for men who control resources so they have the material well being to care for their offspring (Singh, 1993). Therefore, when women are placing advertisements in singles’ columns they often promote their attractiveness where as males should look to promote their security in society by describing their occupation, education, lifestyle, health, and their place in the social and economic hierarchy. I guess?  What do I know anyways; I am married.

Baron, R., Byrne, D., & Branscombe, N . (2006). Social psychology (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Devendra, S. (1993). Adaptive significance of female physical attractiveness: Role of waist-to-hip ratio. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(2), 293-307.

Pinel, John P. J. (2006). Biopsychology with “beyond the brain and behavior” (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.