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The Effects of Partner's Appearance on the Perception of Physical Attractiveness
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by Maribeth F. Jorgensen - University of Nebraska at Kearney
Category: Social
This study examined the effects that extremely unattractive and extremely attractive partners had on the attractiveness ratings of moderately attractive people. There were two men and two women of each attractiveness level used in this study. Eighty-three high school students and fifty-seven introductory psychology students participated in this study. Participants were given one of sixteen possible pictures of a committed couple. Participants rated the individuals' attractiveness. A univariate analysis indicated that moderately attractive men who were paired with an extremely attractive woman were rated as more attractive than they were when paired with an unattractive woman. Moderately attractive women who were paired with an unattractive man were rated as more attractive than when paired with a handsome man.