"The socio-biological theory suggests that we form relationships with people who we feel will be best for the survival of our genes, men select women who are fertile, and women pick men who are able to provide for a child, as well as fertility"

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A2 Level

Matching Hypothesis Coursework

Oscar Terry

Harris CTC

Introduction

There are a number of different theories about the formation of relationships, such as the equity theory, and the socio-biological theory. The socio-biological theory suggests that we form relationships with people who we feel will be best for the survival of our genes, men select women who are fertile, and women pick men who are able to provide for a child, as well as fertility. The equity theory suggests that when a relationship is first being formed, we calculate how equal the relationship is in terms of praise and rewards. The more equal the relationship is, the happier the couple. A similar theory to this is the exchange theory, which suggests that before a relationship is formed, people weigh up all of the benefits and disadvantages of the relationship, and calculates whether it is worth pursuing. In some ways this theory can be linked in with the matching theory. If someone sees someone more attractive than himself or herself, they may calculate the benefits of the relationship, against the negative effects of being rejected, as well as the high possibility of being rejected. So, people will be more likely to aim for people of a similar perceived attractiveness to them. This does not mean that the exchange theory is an explanation for the matching hypothesis, it could possibly mean that the exchange theory is a part of the matching hypothesis.

The aim of this report is to study the strength of the matching hypothesis, by means of using real participants and obtaining results. The theory of the matching hypothesis is that, people who engage in long term relationships with each-other, are of around the same level of physical attractiveness, as rated by other people.        

        There are a number of studies which I have considered in relation to the matching hypothesis. Walster et al. performed a study in 1966 known as the computer dance. It found that people of a higher attractiveness were given a higher rating than those of less attractiveness, regardless of how attractive the person rating them was. Which of course, did not support the matching hypothesis. However, this could be in some aspects due to the fact that the participants felt less worried about rejection, as the first date had already been set up and accepted, reducing the chance of rejection and loss of self-esteem. A following study by Walster, in which the same procedures were used, but participants had spent more time with their partner, supported the matching hypothesis in its findings. The study that has most relevance to my report is the Murstein (1972) study, in which pictures of partners were rated for attractiveness, and it was found that there was a definite tendency for a similarity in attractiveness. However, I feel that the study was in some ways flawed, so I aim to emulate the study, whilst also improving it.

        The studies I have mentioned so far have not necessarily focused on long term relationships, Murstein studied engaged couples, however, people aren’t defiantly together for a long time before becoming engaged. People are initially attracted to those of similar or higher attraction, as supported by many studies, including the socio-biological theory, however, as the relationship goes on, if there is a difference of attraction, the person of lower physical attractiveness will have an increased feeling of anxiety and jealousy, which will lead to the dissolution of the relationship. So, only the relationships with similar attractiveness will survive. So based on this I will be studying only relationships, which have been for longer than 18 months.

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Aim and Hypothesis

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a significant similarity in the attractiveness of couples that have been together for a period of 18months or more. The results will need to be tested using Spearman’s Rho, in order to gauge the relevance of the theory.

Hypothesis-  There will be a clear positive correlation between the attractiveness of one person and their partner. This is a one tailed hypothesis, as there is an expected correlation, and the direction of this correlation is stated.

Null Hypothesis- There will be ...

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