Implicit and explicit preferences for physical attractiveness in a romantic partner: a double dissociation in
Paul W Eastwick1, Alice H Eagly, Eli J Finkel
1Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, TX, USA. eastwick@tamu.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|July 20, 2011
Summary
Implicit measures reveal a preference for physical attractiveness in romantic partners, distinct from explicit attitudes. These implicit preferences better predict real-life romantic interest than explicit ones.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Understanding romantic partner preferences is key to relationship science.
- Implicit attitudes, or automatic associations, may influence partner selection differently than explicit preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate implicit measures of physical attractiveness preference in romantic partners.
- To investigate the predictive validity of implicit versus explicit attractiveness preferences.
Main Methods:
- Five studies employed variants of the go/no-go association task to measure implicit preferences.
- Explicit preferences were assessed using traditional self-report measures.
- Predictive validity was tested against romantic interest in photographs and real-life interactions (speed-dating, confederates).
Main Results:
- Participants showed an implicit preference for physical attractiveness in potential romantic partners.
- Implicit and explicit measures were largely uncorrelated and showed different patterns of sex differences.
- Explicit preferences predicted interest in photographed individuals, while implicit preferences predicted interest in real-life partners.
Conclusions:
- Implicit and explicit preferences for physical attractiveness are distinct constructs.
- Implicit attractiveness preferences are more predictive of romantic interest in actual social encounters.
- This research highlights the importance of implicit processes in evaluating potential romantic partners.
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