TY - JOUR
T1 - Meeting your match
T2 - How attractiveness similarity affects approach behavior in mixed-sex dyads
AU - Van Straaten, Ischa
AU - Engels, Rutger C.M.E.
AU - Finkenauer, Catrin
AU - Holland, Rob W.
PY - 2009/6/1
Y1 - 2009/6/1
N2 - This experimental study investigated approach behavior toward opposite-sex others of similar versus dissimilar physical attractiveness. Furthermore, it tested the moderating effects of sex. Single participants interacted with confederates of high and low attractiveness. Observers rated their behavior in terms of relational investment (i.e., behavioral efforts related to the improvement of interaction fluency, communication of positive interpersonal affect, and positive self-presentation). As expected, men displayed more relational investment behavior if their own physical attractiveness was similar to that of the confederate. For women, no effects of attractiveness similarity on relational investment behavior were found. Results are discussed in the light of positive assortative mating, preferences for physically attractive mates, and sex differences in attraction-related interpersonal behaviors.
AB - This experimental study investigated approach behavior toward opposite-sex others of similar versus dissimilar physical attractiveness. Furthermore, it tested the moderating effects of sex. Single participants interacted with confederates of high and low attractiveness. Observers rated their behavior in terms of relational investment (i.e., behavioral efforts related to the improvement of interaction fluency, communication of positive interpersonal affect, and positive self-presentation). As expected, men displayed more relational investment behavior if their own physical attractiveness was similar to that of the confederate. For women, no effects of attractiveness similarity on relational investment behavior were found. Results are discussed in the light of positive assortative mating, preferences for physically attractive mates, and sex differences in attraction-related interpersonal behaviors.
KW - Assortative mating
KW - Interpersonal behavior
KW - Mixed-sex dyads
KW - Physical attractiveness
KW - Similarity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=65549138540&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0146167209332965
DO - 10.1177/0146167209332965
M3 - Article
C2 - 19336540
AN - SCOPUS:65549138540
SN - 0146-1672
VL - 35
SP - 685
EP - 697
JO - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
JF - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
IS - 6
ER -