What Does Research Suggest About the Influence of Physical Attractiveness

question 121

Multiple Choice

What does research suggest about the influence of physical attractiveness? Does it have an impact on our routine everyday actions (e.g., whether to assist strangers who ask favors) ? What about actions that are relatively important to people (e.g., which politician they vote for) ?

• A) Attractiveness does not seem to matter nearly as much as people think it does.
• B) Attractiveness matters for small things, but does not seem to matter much for things that are relatively important to people.
• C) Ironically, attractiveness seems to have an impact on things that are relatively important to people, but does not seem to matter much for small things.
• D) Attractiveness seems to have an impact both on small things and on things that are relatively important to people.

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Definitions:

Functionalism

An early school of thought promoted by James and influenced by Darwin; explored how mental and behavioral processes function—how they enable the organism to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Scientific Inquiry

The process of systematically investigating the natural world through observation, experimentation, and data analysis to answer questions and test hypotheses.

Skepticism

An attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object.

Curiosity

A strong desire to learn or know about something, driving exploration and discovery.