Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

How Virtual Celebrity Characteristics Drive Purchase Intention: Testing the Stimulus-Organism-Response Framework with Structural Equation Modeling
Published on: March 3, 2026
Physical attractiveness, romantic love, and equity restoration in dating relationships
1North Texas State University, Dept. of Psychology, Denton 76203, USA.
Abstract:
Measures of physical attractiveness, romantic love, and dominance were given to a sample of 123 dating couples. Contrary to expectation, attractive subjects were not loved more than those judged as less attractive. As suggested by equity theory, however, subjects who believed that their partners were the more attractive member of the dyad loved their partners more (p < .05) and indicated greater submission in their relationships (p < .01) than those who believed that they were the more attractive member. The results suggest that as the dating relationship progresses, the relative difference in attractiveness between partners may become a more important determinant of attraction than overall level of attractiveness.
Related Concept Videos
Equity Theory
Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
Relationship Formation
Desirable Characteristics in Others
Factors Influencing Attraction IV: Reciprocity
Factors Influencing Attraction III: Similarity

