Perceptions of the physical attractiveness of the self, current romantic partners, and former partners

Authors: SWAMI, VIREN; ALLUM, LUCY

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, Volume 53, Number 1, 1 February 2012 , pp. 89-95(7)

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Abstract:

Swami, V. & Allum, L. (2011). Perceptions of the physical attractiveness of the self, current romantic partners, and former partners. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 89-95.

This study examined ratings of physical attractiveness of the self and former and current partners. A total of 304 participants completed measures of attractiveness, relationship satisfaction, love dimensions, self-esteem and sociosexual orientation. Consistent with previous work, results showed that participants rated their current partners as more attractive than themselves and their former partners. However, results also showed that former partners were rated as more attractive than the self on a number of bodily characteristics. Finally, results showed that ratings of former partner physical attractiveness were associated with passion for the former partner, self-esteem, sociosexual orientation, and attributions of relationship termination. These results are discussed in relation to the available literature on positive illusions in intimate relationships.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2011.00922.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK

Publication date: 2012-02-01