Elaine Walster

Physical attractiveness and dating choice: A test of the matching hypothesis☆

Previous studies have failed to find support for the hypothesis, derived from Level of Aspiration Theory, that individuals chose to date those whose “social desirability” level is similar to their own. In the present experiments, which were designed to test the matching hypothesis, the salience of possible rejection by the dating choice was varied. Both experiments found support for the principle of matching in social choice. This support was obtained, however, not just under conditions in which rejection was presumably salient but for all conditions of choice. This and additional findings were discussed.

Equity and extramarital sexuality

Equity theory has recently been found to be a useful framework for under-standing the effects of imbalances in intimate “contractual” relationships such as marriage. Equitable couples seem to be happier, more satisfied with their relationship, and more confident that it will last than are their more mismatched, i.e., inequitable, counterparts. Furthermore, inequitable couples predictably act to “set things right” in their marriage. They either restore actual equity to the relationship or psychologically set their relationship in balance. If neither works, they may “leave the field.” Extramarital sex may be viewed as an equity restoration mechanism in that (1) it may be used by the deprived partner to achieve actual equity, (2) it may indicate a partners readiness to leave the relationship because he feels he can “do better,” or (3) it may represent a desire to achieve equity in an alternative relationship(s) when inequity pervades the primary one. The hypothesis that the inequitable/underbenefited group should be more likely than the equitable group or the inequitable/overbenefited group to have engaged in extramarital sex was tested using data from a large-scale Psychology Todayquestionnaire. The results indicated that men and women in inequitable/under-benefited relationships had more extramarital affairs and began their extramarital activities earlier than did men and women in equitable and inequitable/over-benefited relationships. Alternative explanations of this finding, sex-role demands and length of the relationship, are explored and discarded as untenable.

Equity and the Law: The Effect of a Harmdoer's “Suffering in the Act” on Liking and Assigned Punishment

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews equity theory concerning its possible usefulness in illuminating the legal process and presents some preliminary research findings. It discusses the four propositions of the equity theory: individuals will try to maximize their outcomes; groups can maximize collective reward by evolving accepted systems for “equitably” apportioning rewards and costs among members; when individuals find themselves participating in inequitable relationships, they become distressed; and individuals who discover they are in an inequitable relationship attempt to eliminate their distress by restoring equity. Equity theory deals with mens perceptions of fairness and justice. It seems reasonable to suppose that mens perceptions should have some impact on their judicial decisions. The application of equity principles enables judges to consider mitigating circumstances (i.e., inputs) in handing down sentences (i.e., outcomes). The chapter considers the equity theory and the law from perspective of the harmdoer, the victim, or an impartial observer.

The effect of self-esteem on liking for dates of various social desirabilities.

Abstract It has often been proposed that individuals come to prefer romantic partners whose social assets approximate their own. Data in this area are inconclusive. Two experiments testing this hypothesis are reported: In these experiments self-esteem was both measured and manipulated. Then individuals were exposed to dates varying markedly in social desirability and asked to indicate their liking for for these dates. Regardless of whether stable or manipulated selfesteem was examined, no support for the matching hypothesis was secured. Subjects at the highest and the lowest self-esteem levels preferred the most socially desirable dates to the same extent.

Film Preferences Following a Murder

Evidence from various sources suggests that, under safe conditions of exposure, people may show preference for potentially fear-inducing events. To test for the existence of this phenomenon, general attendance at a film depicting cold-blooded murder and at a control film were compared on the two days following the occurrence of a murder and on the same two days one week prior to the murder. Only attendance at the murder movie rose (89%) two days after the murder when compared with the same day a week before. Also, girls in the victims dormitory showed a greater preference for the murder movie one week after the crime, whereas girls in a control dorm showed no preference. Theoretical interpretations were proposed to account for these findings.

EFFECT OF TIME ON TENDENCY TO COMPENSATE A VICTIM

Previous research has shown that individuals may reduce the distress they feel on harming another by making reparation to their victim, by justifying their harm-doing or by seeking punishment for the act. Prediction of which distress-reduction technique or which combination will be used has been facilitated by extending theoretical equity formulations to the harm-doing situation. The present experiment, a quasi-replication of Berscheid and Walster (1967), tested and supported the hypothesis that prediction of harm-doer response based on harm-doer motivation to restore equity to his relationship with the victim will be successful primarily when there is a time interval between commitment of the harmful act and a decision to perform a distress-reduction act. When such time is not available to the harm-doer, saliency of distress-reduction opportunity may be a better predictor.

The Efficacy of Playing Hard-to-Get.

It has often been suggested that individuals will prefer dates who play “hard-to-get.” Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that teen-agers will assume that a hard-to-get individual is more socially desirable than a person whose high regard is easily obtained. This hypothesis was not confirmed; the results were opposite to those predicted. It appears that playing hard-to-get is not an effective strategy for increasing one’s status. Apparently, all the world does love a lover.

THE EFFECT OF SEX ON COLLEGE ADMISSION, WORK EVALUTION, AND JOB INTERVIEWS

Studies have repeatedly shown that girls lead boys in general intellectual development (1, 7, 9) as well as early academic achievement (3, 5, 10, 13). On the basis of such evidence, women might anticipate preferential treatment in events related to academic performance. Women have insisted, however, that they are discrimi nated against in academia as elsewhere. Three experiments2 were designed to investigate whether or not their contention is true. The studies attempted to determine: Are women discriminated against in college admissions? Are the creative productions of women underrated? Does the PhD candidate have equal opportunity for employ ment regardless of sex? The answer to these questions is compelling: The results indicate that unless a woman is of unusual ability and/or is an acknowledged success, she must expect to be treated inequitably.