Some aspects of beauty Essay Example

college students typically view themselves as substantially heavier than men's ideal female figure. Nevertheless, neither gender accurately estimates what the opposite sex finds attractive. Men prefer women who weigh more than females think but less than average weight, while women prefer slimmer men compared to what males generally presume.

Although once considered a key feature of flappers in the 1920s, having larger breasts is now commonly preferred by men when it comes to women's appearances. However, interestingly enough, individuals with bigger breasts are often viewed as less intelligent, competent, moral and modest than those with smaller ones (Kleinke & Staneski, 1980), highlighting how people associate physical characteristics with personality traits. Regardless of gender though, smiling tends to make individuals more attractive. This is why "put on a happy face" is frequently suggested during first impressions or when looking for love interests. While other factors also influence attraction, behavior certainly plays a significant role.

Reis et al. found that women who watched videotapes of potential partners preferred men who exhibited outgoing and self-expressive behavior, whereas men responded negatively to women displaying the same behavior. Female viewers also rated dominant college-aged men as more attractive, but male viewers did not find dominant women appealing. Despite societal progress, the cultural expectation of a demure woman persists. However, self-assertive and expressive women should resist altering themselves to conform to traditional male preferences as it may lead to conflict.

According to Nevid (1984), when considering qualities in a potential partner for a long-lasting, meaningful relationship, characteristics such as warmth, fidelity, honesty, and sensitivity were deemed more important than physical attractiveness. Conversely, when asked about what was important in a partner for a sexual

relationship, physical attractiveness was given more importance. In general, men placed more emphasis on physical characteristics for both types of relationships compared to women. Women placed a higher value on qualities such as warmth, assertiveness, wit, and achievement orientation.

According to Nevid, the most important quality that students desired in a long-term partner was honesty. While personal traits may have a more significant impact on determining partner preferences in long-term relationships, physical attractiveness likely plays a filtering role. It is possible that if a potential date does not meet minimal physical standards, we may not investigate deeper to discover more meaningful attributes. Nevid's research is supported by studies on mate selection, which show that women prioritize professional status, consideration, dependability, kindness, and fondness for children in potential partners. On the other hand, men tend to place greater importance on physical attractiveness, cooking skills, and even frugality (Buss, 1994).

It appears that the gender-based variations in characteristics affecting perceptions of beauty are rather discriminatory. Several sociobiologists argue that these preferences provide mating advantages to men and women, leading to the survival of those with them (Fisher, 1992). As Rathus, Nevid and Fichner-Rathus (1997) suggest, cleanliness, clear eyes, good complexion, strong muscles, sturdy gait, good hair and teeth are physical features that are generally appealing to both sexes. These characteristics may have value as markers of high reproductive potential in potential partners. According to the “parental investment model”, age and health are more critical for a woman's attraction as they are markers of reproductive capability.

Sociobiologists suggest that men's reproductive capabilities are affected by their social status and dependability, creating a secure environment for childbearing. As a result,

women have gradually prioritized these characteristics over time (Buss, 1994). Nevertheless, there is not enough evidence to fully validate this theory (Kakutani, 1992). Women also tend to be drawn to physically attractive men who share comparable socioeconomic backgrounds. It is important to note that older men face greater natural mortality risks than younger ones.

Despite men's ability to amass wealth, it is not guaranteed that they will pass it down to their families. Moreover, women may prefer younger and more physically fit partners over older individuals with higher social status. Sociobiologists recognize that despite innate tendencies, some men are attracted to and pursue relationships with older women. In the end, human actions can adapt accordingly.

In general, the correlation between beauty and goodness leads us to expect that attractive people possess qualities like poise, sociability, popularity, mental well-being, and contentment (Feingold, 1992). We also have high expectations for their success in convincing others and achieving prestigious careers. Furthermore, we assume that they are adept at parenting and sustaining stable marriages. Conversely, those who lack physical attractiveness are often viewed as being on the outskirts.

Studies indicate that unattractive college students are more likely to believe they will face mental health problems, which aligns with stereotypes. In contrast, attractive individuals show a lower likelihood of developing psychological disorders. Additionally, unattractive people tend to have more severe forms of these conditions. Attractiveness also correlates positively with popularity, social skills, and sexual experiences.

According to Feingold (1992), the relationship between physical attractiveness and mental ability and personality is insignificant. While some may assume that this link is innate and that beauty and competence are genetically linked, a more productive interpretation

is to believe that we can improve our attractiveness, success, and fulfillment. It's important to note that grooming habits, dress sense as well as maintaining a decent physique or figure all have an impact on physical attractiveness.

According to Mazzella ; Feingold (1994), experiments with mock juries have found that attractive individuals are more likely to be acquitted of burglary and cheating charges. Additionally, they receive lighter sentences when convicted. It could be assumed that attractive individuals are less likely to engage in deviant behavior to reach their goals. Even when they make mistakes, they may have more chances for personal improvement and be more inclined to reform.

From an early age, attractive children are aware of the high expectations others have of them. Research shows that even in the first year of life, adults tend to view physically attractive infants as good, intelligent, likeable, and unlikely to cause any trouble for their parents (Stephan ; Langlois, 1984). As a result, parents, teachers, and peers anticipate attractive children to excel academically and socially and possess good conduct and talents. Given that our self-esteem is influenced by others' opinions, it is unsurprising that physically attractive individuals often have greater self-esteem. In accordance with the matching hypothesis, people frequently seek out partners who resemble them in terms of physical attraction rather than pursuing those who resemble movie stars. The primary motivation for seeking out similar-looking partners appears to be a fear of rejection from more physically attractive individuals.

Shanteau and Nagy (1979) conducted a study involving female undergraduates tasked with selecting a male date based on physical attractiveness and likelihood of accepting the date request. Results showed that women tended

to avoid pursuing men who were deemed either very unattractive or unlikely to accept the date. Instead, moderately attractive men who were highly likely to accept the date request were the preferred choice. In a subsequent phase of the experiment, women were asked to choose a date solely based on a photo. The majority of women still favored moderately attractive men.

The National Health and Social Life Survey, conducted by Michael et al. in 1994, revealed that the explanation for why the men considered most attractive may have a lower likelihood of agreeing to a date could be due to their desire for similarity in relationships. This extends beyond physical appearance and includes similarities in race, ethnicity, age, education level, and religion.

Sheppard & Strathman (1989) reported that the majority of single White men (around 94%) preferred sexual partners who were also White, while a small percentage was in relationships with Hispanic American women (2%), Asian American women (2%), or African American women (less than 1%). On the other hand, African American men mostly had American women as their sexual partners (about 82%), followed by White women (almost 8%) and Hispanic American women (almost 5%). The study indicated that both genders favored partners who shared similar religious beliefs and were within five years of their age. Additionally, female participants with graduate college degrees did not have partners who had not finished high school. These findings imply that individuals tend to marry within their communities rather than seeking out partners from different backgrounds.

Our preference for individuals with similar backgrounds is rooted in our tendency to communicate more frequently with them and our natural inclination towards those who share

comparable attitudes. The importance of shared values and preferences cannot be overstated as they are crucial in establishing initial bonds of attraction, friendship, and romance.

Evidence suggests that individuals may have a tendency to presume that individuals who are physically attractive share their own attitudes. It is possible that when attraction is particularly strong, individuals may believe that any possible issues in the relationship will be minor and can easily be resolved. However, it should be noted that not all attitudes are of equal importance. Research conducted with male participants engaging in computer dates at the University of Nevada found that sexual attitudes had a greater impact on their preferences than religious attitudes (Touhey, 1972). On the other hand, female participants were found to be more drawn to males whose religious views aligned with their own.

In terms of mate selection, women may prioritize building a family with shared values over physical intimacy, according to research by May and Hamilton (1980). Factors such as religious beliefs and desire for children hold more weight than traits like kindness or professional status. Shared interests, such as taste in music, also play a significant role. May and Hamilton discovered that college women find photos of male strangers more attractive when they are listening to music they enjoy compared to music they do not enjoy. Thus, if one member of a dating couple enjoys music the other does not, it could impact their perceived attractiveness to one another.

Attraction is heavily influenced by reciprocity, as we often reciprocate feelings of admiration. If strangers show that they like us, we may become more open, warm and helpful towards them. While some may

believe that they are irresistibly drawn to their soulmate, social psychologists have a more pragmatic perspective. They have established that attraction and likability are connected to proximity, physical appearance, similarity, exchange and intimacy.

Attraction is typically determined by proximity. The closer two people live, the greater the chance for interaction and frequency of interaction, leading to increased likability. On the other hand, individuals separated by significant distance are unlikely to meet and have limited opportunity to develop mutual attraction. Proximity's effect goes beyond mere convenience, as familiarity creates comfort and security with people and things.

Familiarity and predictability make people more likable as they are considered safe and reliable (Bornstein, 1989). The physical appearance of an individual has a significant impact on our perception of their character as we tend to attribute more positive qualities to attractive people. Advertisers often exploit this idea by promoting body image insecurities.

Despite our awareness that these messages are simply marketing ploys, they still impact our standards of physical appearance. This type of advertising is not just prevalent in Western culture, as evidenced by the promotion of a supposed weight-reducing soap in Japan and China that claims to absorb fat through pores (Marshall, 1995). Television programs are now a significant player in shaping societal attitudes towards body image. Marshall researched talk shows featuring women and weight and identified three categories that demonstrate how overweight women view themselves and how audiences respond.

The primary category observed in the show is disgust, specifically directed towards overweight individuals who are often subjected to harsh stares and disparaging comments. This can lead to overweight individuals feeling emotional and tearful. The host of the show may

attempt to offer sympathy towards these guests, sometimes depicted in close-up shots wiping away their tears. The second category, pathetic, has some overlap with disgust, but also includes a compassionate element. This is particularly evident when the show features obese children and guests express sympathy and hope for their potential for change.

The recent shows were stunningly unusual featuring overweight individuals and their admirers. Although these women are comfortable with their weight and often strike suggestive poses, they are still seen as abnormal by the audience. Psychologists need to explore multiple factors, including culture and media, to comprehend the complex concept of beauty.