Author Question: Briefly describe Festinger's (1954) social comparison theory. What will be an ideal ... (Read 96 times)

nmorano1 · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Briefly describe Festinger's (1954) social comparison theory.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe the influence of situation and other factors on perceptions of attractiveness, including judgments of personality traits. What is a contrast effect? What other factors of appearance have an influence? What about behavioral cues? Anything else?

What will be an ideal response?

memslove · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer:
In many instances, there are no objective indicators of the accuracy of our beliefs and attitudes. In this situation, we seek confirmation of our beliefs by comparing our beliefs and attitudes with those of other people. Confirmation provides consensual validation giving us a sense that our judgments are sound and that we are normal. This, in turn, produces a positive affective state. Negative affective states arise when there is a lack of consensual validation because of dissimilarity in beliefs and attitudes.

Answer to Question 2

Answer:
A lot of things influence attractiveness. As the number of people in a bar grows smaller, the remaining people start looking better. Even women who wear red will be perceived as more sexually appealing and attractive by men. Overweight people are thought to be more easygoing and to lack personal discipline compared to people with hard and muscular bodies. Walking and handshake style may also affect perceptions of attractiveness. Initial impressions of men favor a dominant style, whereas, with additional exposure, males with a sensitive prosocial style appear more attractive. Oddly, first names may color an initial impression of attractiveness.