L33 Psych 315 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: John Bowlby, Attachment Theory, Facial Symmetry
Document Summary
Men and women with high facial symmetry -- indicates good health = good reproductive outcomes. Large, widely separated eyes -- symmetry, youth = fertility. These preferences are consistent in same-sex relationships as well because they represent evolutionary fitness. Positive behaviors make individuals appear more attractive than they may actually be. Physical characteristics are relied upon for initial attraction but when considering entering a serious relationship, you consider other things like personality and behavior. Men and women differ in their criteria for sexual partners. Women may increase selectivity as the probability of pregnancy increases. Men are selective for long term relationships when they commit resources. But men will be less selective if given the opportunity for a low investment reproductive opportunity. Clark & hatfield (1989): students were approached by an attractive opposite-sex person, who said: This was followed by 1 of 3 invitations: About half of both sexes said yes to the date.
