Physical attractiveness, perceived attitude similarity, and academic achievement as contributors to interpersonal attraction among adolescents

• Published in: Developmental psychology 1973-07, Vol.9 (1), p.44-54
• Main Authors: Cavior, Norman, Dokecki, Paul R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Attitude Similarity; Human; Interpersonal Attraction; Physical Attractiveness; Social Perception
• ISSN: 0012-1649; 1939-0599
• DOI: 10.1037/h0035081

Examined factors which may contribute to interpersonal attraction in groups who know each other and those who do not. 58 5th and 11th graders who knew each other judged classmates' photographs on physical attractiveness, perceived attitude similarity, and interpersonal attraction. "Nonknowers" (60 males and female classmates in different schools in the same grades) judged the same photographs on physical attractiveness. 7 hypotheses were supported: (a) physical attractiveness is scalable by ranking and rating methods; (b) males and females use similar criteria in judging physical attractiveness; (c) knowing the person affects judgment of their attractiveness; (d) the knowing variable has the greatest influence on judgments of average attractive persons; (e) attractiveness and attitude similarity are positively correlated with interpersonal attraction at both grade levels; (f) physical attractiveness and perceived attitude similarity are positively correlated at both age levels; and (g) causal direction seems to be from physical attractiveness to interpersonal attraction for persons ranked as most and least attractive; causality appears to be interactive for average attractive persons. Academic performance contributed negligibly to interpersonal attraction. (22 ref)