More Sex! 16 April 2003

Schachter & Singer, 1962 –2-factor theory of emotion 2 things make up an emotion: –Physiological arousal –An attribution re. the source of that arousal For love: –“my heart is pounding” (physiological state) –“look at that hottie over there!!! I must be in love!!!!” (appropriate love object) Two-Factor Theory of Love

Dutton & Aron’s Two-Factor Theory of Love Studies

2 IV’s –Arousal (suspension bridge vs low secure bridge) –Attractive object (“stunning” young woman vs. ordinary guy) All subjects are male 2 DV’s –TAT coded for sexual imagery –% of subjects who call for “more information” Dutton & Aron Method (Expt 1)

GLORIAAL PhoneTATPhoneTAT Susp. Bridge 39%2.479%0.8 Low Bridge 9%1.415%0.61 Dutton & Aron Results (Expt 1) DV (phone) = % calling for “more info” DV (TAT) = amount of sexual imagery used in TAT story, on a scale of 1 to 4

Confound in expt 1: –Self-selection Expt 2 eliminates this by using only the Capilano (suspension) bridge Gloria or Al approach people either –Several minutes after they get off the bridge –In the middle of the bridge Dutton & Aron Method (Expt 2)

GLORIAAL PhoneTATPhoneTAT Middle of bridge 39%2.479%0.8 Parking lot 9%1.415%0.61 Dutton & Aron Results (Expt 2)

Take it to the lab!!! Males threatened with weak or severe electric shock (= arousal) In waiting room, meet attractive female confed (disguised as another subject) How much would you like to date her? –Strong shock > > Weak shock How much would you like to kiss her? –Strong shock > > Weak shock Dutton & Aron (Expt 3)

But…. This misattribution of arousal isn’t always found Kenrick & Cialdini: the presence of others calms us down men in the bridge/shock studies may have liked the “stunning” young woman because they associated her with a reduction in fear/anxiety

But…. Cont’d Kenrick & Cialdini expt –Males run in place for either 15 secs or 2 mins –THEN immediately see a video of either: A highly attractive woman An unattractive woman sec 2 min attractiveunattractive

So: Alternate explanation Maybe arousal just facilitates ANY reaction Animal literature supports this… Moral of the story

The Value of Physical Attractiveness: “Attractiveness is Good” Heuristic (Dion & Dion)

The Pratfall Effect Can you be TOO attractive? Trivia Bowl Expt (Aronson): –IV’s: Competence (hi vs lo); End of tape (no event vs spill coffee) –DV: Attractiveness vs Unattractiveness of contestant

Trivia Bowl Results controlpratfall attractive unattractive

Self-Monitoring and Concern for Attractiveness High self-monitors are more concerned with the physical attractiveness of their dates than are low self-monitors Expt: importance of resume vs picture –DV: seconds looking at picture vs resume pictureresume hi SM lo SM