Sexual Differences in Physical Attractiveness as a Determinant of Heterosexual Liking

Abstract

A questionnaire study of sexual differences in the importance of physical attractiveness to heterosexual liking disclosed that 177 men ranked physical attractiveness significantly (but only slightly) higher than 177 women. Different degrees of intimacy and permanency in the relationship also affected the importance of physical attractiveness in partners. There was no significant interaction between sex and type of relationship.