Running Head: Linking Perceived Attractiveness and Relationship Status 1 Linking Perceived Attractiveness and Relationship Status: Categorization in Mate Selection

This study was designed to focus on the effect of relationship status on perceived attractiveness. In order to study this effect, facial images, including the area of the models above the neckline, were rated on several factors, including attractiveness, by participants on a Likert scale from one to six. The study presented participants with the images and a short vignette containing relationship status, which was randomly assigned in order to gain ratings of attractiveness for each image when coupled with the statuses of “Single”, “In a relationship of 3 or more months”, and “In a long-term relationship of 2 or more years/engaged”. Data analysis then focused on the effect of each level of relationship status on attractiveness. The researchers predicted that those individuals who were presented as being in a longer-term relationship would have higher ratings of attractiveness than the same individuals when presented as single. Data analysis focused on data collected from female participants due to small numbers of males in some conditions. While there was no significant main effect of relationship condition, there was close to significant evidence suggesting a link between the gender of the presented face and relationship condition [F(2, 112) = 3.051, p = .051]. This finding could imply that men and women are rated differently based upon their current relationship status. 3 Relationship Status and Perceived Attractiveness Linking Perceived Attractiveness and Relationship Status: Categorization in Mate Selection Scottish philosopher David Hume once wrote, “Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them” (Hume, 1757). This statement suggests that beauty is dependent upon perception. In this regard, the perception of beauty, and more specifically attractiveness, comes with a set of assumptions. When perceived as attractive an individual is also perceived as possessing various other qualities such as an overall more positive personality (Dion, Berscheid, & Walster, 1972). In addition, the perceived attractiveness of an individual was found to be associated with other positive factors such as friendliness, enthusiasm, and trustworthiness. It can be expected from these results that there are many benefits to those perceived as attractive in a society. Having established links between attractiveness and other qualities, it is therefore useful to discuss possible benefits for those perceived as attractive as well as the various factors which may influence perceived attractiveness. Benefits of Attractiveness Individuals who are perceived as attractive may also benefit from multiple social advantages as a result of their perceived attractiveness. For example, attractive females have been found to be more likely to secure marriages with financially successful males (Udry & Eckland, 1984). Due to the fact that this correlation does not offer the possibility that the wealth of women increases their attractiveness, women rated to be highly attractive have managed to exchange the value placed on their appearance to obtain benefits within marriage. These findings may suggest the power of attractiveness in gaining aspects of upward mobility, or the idea that it is possible for an attractive female to marry into a higher socioeconomic class because of her attractiveness. Another benefit to having an attractive appearance involves the role it plays in the job market. Individuals of both sexes who are attractive have been found to have a higher likelihood in obtaining a job than those who are seen as less attractive seeking to obtain the same job. The study that produced this finding maintained two levels of attractiveness and three levels of