Matching Hypothesis Coursework

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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.

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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.

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 no correlation between the attractiveness of one person and their partner, and if there is any correlation it will have ocured purely by chance.

Method

There are two main sections to this study, the first being the collection of the photographs of couples, which will later be judged on attractiveness, the second being the actual judging of the photographs. The collection of the photographs was originally going to be performed by using a questionnaire survey in a selected field (Croydon High Street). However, after constructing the survey, and attempting to collect data, it was discovered that this method was very time consuming, with a lot of ethical issues. As we would need to ask for permission for the photographs, and then be willing to give them the results of the judgement of attractiveness. This was also made difficult as I have decided to restrict the age group of all photograph participants to 18-25, as the judge participants are likely to be students from college, and they may see much older people as being less attractive. The results could potentially upset the participant, which would be a difficult issue to address.

So, in light of this, I decided to collect pictures of couples from the Internet. Though I had to ensure that all of the pictures were of roughly the same size, and included the same amount of body in each one. I also had to make sure the couples were separated in the pictures, and that it was not obvious that two pictures could be put together to make one (if I separated one picture to make two). Depending on how difficult it is to collect pictures, I will use either 10 or 15 couples, making a total of 20 or 30 photographs to be judged. The pictures will be arranged onto two computers, one for the males and one for the females, and the judge participant will be able to see only one screen at a time. The photographs will be arranged onto a word document so that all the pictures can be seen at one time, all of the pictures will be the same size, and the participant will be allowed no zooming.

Participants

14 judges were selected, 7 male and 7 female, from college classrooms. Some other researchers and I asked teachers if we could use a male and a female student from the class in a study for a short period of time. We then asked the class for volunteers, and asked the teacher to select two of the people volunteering. This ensured that the researchers didn't pick friends, which might have influenced their judging ability.

Procedure

The judges were shown the whole set of photographs one gender at a time. The photographs were arranged on two separate computer screens, one for males and one for females, in a random order. I then said the following to the judge,

"In front of you are 10 photographs of women, I would like you to take your time and when you are ready, point at each individual in the order of their attractiveness, starting by pointing at the most attractive."

Then after they had rated the women they were asked, "could you now do the same for these 10 men, take your time before starting."

All of the results were recorded by one of the researchers onto a sheet which can be seen in the appendix, with the judge being unable to see any other results until they are debriefed. Also, it was important to ensure that the participants could not see the opposite gender photographs, whilst rating, as the photographs of people had been cut in half to separate the couple, and this might have been noticed, which would invalidate the participants results. The judges were given a full debriefing afterwards, being told the true nature of the study, and answering any other questions. The main requests by participants during debriefing were to see who the couples were, and to see how similar their results were with other participants.

Ethical Considerations-

The judges were selected from classrooms of students, and volunteered to take part in the experiment. They were made aware that if they felt they didn't want to continue, they could quite easily leave, and the study would not be affected. They were told the nature of the study, so afterwards they were debriefed about it, and any questions were answered. The debriefing was important, as some participants were worried that the study was about themselves, and would in some way reflect badly on them. Once they had been told that this was not the case, no-one had any anxieties. However, it was very common for the participants to ask to see how their own results compared to other peoples, and this was allowed, although the first few participants had little to compare to. Another request was to see who the actual couples were, and to see if there results supported the study, which was allowed.

Another possible ethical issue would be that involved with the obtaining of the photographs. However, it was considered unimportant, as the people in the photographs were unaware of the study, also, the photographs were all obtained from websites which allow you to rate the pictures, very similar to the study. So permission was not asked for the photographs to be used, although they were checked if they were copyrighted before use, in-case of legal issues.

Variables

The only actual variable is the different ratings given by the judges. However, other variables that may have influenced the ratings have been taken out. Only one participant can judge the photos at any one time, to avoid influence. Also, no help is to be given to the participant in terms of making decisions on the attractiveness, even if it is requested.

Also, as the judges were taken from a closed college environment, the judges were asked prior to the study to vow they would not talk about the study, until it had been announced that the final participants had been seen.