Attractiveness

Attraction is a feeling that makes someone romantically or sexually interested in another person Types of Attraction

Types of Attraction

• Task attraction-refers to our desire to work with someone to fulfill our instrument goals (i.e. completing a project)
• Physical attraction-results when we like how people look
• Social attraction-reflects the feeling that we would like to “hang out” and be friends with someone
• Sexual attraction-reflects the desire to engage in sexual activity with someone
• Relational attraction-refers to the desire to have an intimate relationship with a person
• Fatal attraction-the process of initially being drawn to the very aspects of an individual that you’ll eventually dislike.

Visual attractiveness

Visual attractiveness or visual appeal is attraction produced primarily by visual stimuli.

Eye candy

A common slang term for visually appealing persons or effects used to draw mass attention is eye candy. The implication is that they are eye-catching in a superficial fashion, for example due to adding an element of sexuality. Like actual candy, this addition is seen to be neither nutritious nor substantial, but rather provides a potentially addictive appeal which will sustain the attention of a wider audience, possibly despite their better nature.

The term dates to at least 1978 and comes from the similar term "ear candy" (the name of a Helen Reddy album) which dates to 1977.

It could also be derived from the phrase "a feast for the eyes" meaning a visually pleasing sight.

This expression is sometimes used for example to actors/actresses whose visual enjoyment to the audience is perceived as so evident they are alleged as having been cast for this reason, e.g. for their sex appeal. Various novels, articles, and stories have used this slang term to show a physical attraction one person has toward another.

Physical attractiveness

Main article: Physical attractiveness

Physical attractivenessis One of the top predictors of social attraction. A persons Culture determines standards for beauty. Many studies find support for the matching hypothesis that attractiveness is significantly correlated among members of romantic couples. Other studies have shown there is a social stereotype that physical attractiveness equals social and/or intellectual competence (Eagly et al, 1991; Feingold, 1992; Jackson et al, 1995) The Halo effect where people associate good looks with a wide range of other positive qualities such as More likely to succeed, more sociable, popular, and competent. This is because of our primal instincts and Genetic drive to mate with the fittest person possible. We also Hope to gain these rewards through association. This is know as the Assimilation effect where Some of the attention that physically attractive people get, spills over to their friends.

Factors Influencing Attraction

Factors Influencing Attraction

• Perceptions of rewards
• Expectations
• Demographics
• Personality

Perceptions of rewards

This concept builds from the idea of social exchange theory that states that human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives. People are more attracted to others if we think rewards outweigh costs. Humans are perceived as especially attractive if they have more rewards to offer than other people. What qualifies as rewarding varies individually. According to a study by Rivka Shtatfeld, Azy Barak Potential partners are only rewarding if perceived to fulfill interpersonal needs by contributing resources to a relationship.

Expectations

Behavioral expectations influence people’s perceptions of reward value in two ways. The first is a persons expectations determine what we notice as being unusual or usual and second our expectations have a way of becoming reality, regardless of the other person’s actual behavior. What you expect someone is like or how they will act can play a large role on if he or she is attracted to someone.

Demographics

Demographics such as Sex, age, and other ethnographic variables affect attraction. However demographics appear to be somewhat weaker than those connected to expectations. Sex differences is the most researched area. Mate selection studies find that men deem physical attractiveness in a mate more important than women. Women are more likely than men to prefer an educated, ambitious, intelligent, and/or dependable partner When looking at attractiveness it is Better consider masculine-feminine continuum traits, rather than a persons biological sex.

Personality and Communication Skills

One of the most important personality traits is attachment style. Attachment style influences behavior and to whom we become attracted. There are four types; secure individuals that are comfortable alone and in relationships, dismissive individuals that prefer to be alone and are unmotivated to develop and maintain relationships, fearful avoidant individuals who fear intimacy and lack self-confidence, and preoccupied people want intimacy and fear being alone. Also Self Esteem and mood play a large role in who we find attractive. Two recognized variables that effect attractiveness are Self-monitoring and Level of narcissism. Communications skills also correlate with personality. Some communication skills that align with attractiveness are warmth, sociability, competence, assertiveness/power, and altruistic or his or her willingness to make sacrifices.

See also

• Interpersonal attraction
• Interest (emotion)
• Halo effect
• Assimilation effect
• Social exchange theory

References

General

• Ortony, Andrew; Gerald L. Clore; Allan Collins (1990). The Cognitive Structure of Emotions. Cambridge University Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-521-38664-0.