Preview

Human Magnetism

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1863 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Human Magnetism
Human Magnetism

By Taryn Dixon & Joshua Robinson
December 5, 2012
Ms. Woodson
Table of Contents
1. Purpose…………………………pg.3
2. Background Research…………..pg.4
3. Hypothesis……………………...pg.6
4. Experiment……………………...pg.7
5. Results…………………………..pg.8
6. Conclusions……………………..pg.13
7. Bibliography……………………pg.14
8. Further Investigations…………..pg.15
9. Acknowledgements……………..pg.16
Purpose
The purpose of this investigation is to determine how a person’s physical features affect who they are attracted to. How do a person’s physical features affect who they are attracted to?
Using normal characteristics such as eyes, hair, and height, 120 people will be surveyed in order to observe how characteristics affect attraction.

Background Research What we as humans find attractive is mainly based on a mixture of biology, beliefs, and individual preferences. What really determines human attraction? It can’t just be simple life styles causing infatuation. Deep inside the science of attraction, are concepts of animal behavior. The main three determinants of attraction found in the research for this investigation are views of oneself, survival of the fittest, and natural selection. This is the mixture that brings humans together. There are specific reasons behind why certain people are attracted to others. Usually females look for the “fittest” male. These would consist of good looks, intelligence, strength, mental stability, financial stability, and charisma. Key characteristics mentioned like intelligence, strength, and mental and financial stability show that their partners can survive and thrive in their environment. Charles Darwin’s “survival-of-the-fittest” laws are true to this day and do apply to humans; men or women exemplifying attractive traits of looks or success are more likely to find partners and reproduce. A person’s self view can also determine attraction. Humans, like other animals chase traits they desire. Studies show that confidence is a


Bibliography: 1. Darwin 's theory of 'survival-of-the-fittest ' continues to shape human evolution in the modern age, say scientists | Mail Online. (n.d.). Home | Mail Online. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2137496/Darwins-theory-survival-fittestcontinues-shape-human-evolution-modern-age-say-scientists.html 2. Dating- Some Self Asteem Savers. (n.d.). Psych Central. Retrieved October 12, 2010, from psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/07/08/dating-some-self-asteem-savers/ 3. IV. Natural Selection; or the Survival of the Fittest. Illustrations of the Action of Natural Selection, or the Survival of the Fittest. Darwin, Charles Robert. 1909-14. Origin of Species. The Harvard Classics. (n.d.). Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and hundreds more. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from http://www.bartleby.com/11/4003.html 4. M. Anorico, K. Y. (2005, April 2). 2005 Project Summary. California State Science Fair. Retrieved October 12, 2010, from www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2005/Projects/J1702.pdf 5. Queendom: personality tests, IQ tests, mind games, love tests, career tests. (n.d.). Queendom: personality tests, IQ tests, mind games, love tests, career tests. Retrieved December 11, 2012, from http://www.queendom.com/articeds/articals.htm?a=16 Further Investigations 1. To increase accuracy within data by surveying more people, probably 200 or more subjects. 2. To widen the variety of characteristics, to include all types of people in the survey. Acknowledgements In life it is always important to thank those who have helped you during your times of need. Therefore, we plan to give a special thanks to each of those people who have given up their own time and helped us along the way. Especially: Taryn’s parents, Joshua’s parents, Ms. Woodson, and everyone who agreed to take the survey. Thank you, this has been Human Magnetism.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Describe and Evaluate Two or More Theories of the Formation of Romantic Relationships.
    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Describe and Evaluate Two or More Theories of the Formation of Romantic Relationships.

    However, a weakness of May and Hamilton’s study is that the study lacks ecological validity. It was conducted in lab settings using artificial tasks such as rating photos whilst listening to music which is clearly not a realistic method of judging an individual’s attractiveness. Also replicating a natural social environment may be impossible. This…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ap Euro Chapter 24 Key Terms
    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ap Euro Chapter 24 Key Terms

    3. Social Darwinism- The application of Darwin’s concept of “the survival of the fittest” to explain evolution in nature to human social relationships.…

    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Describe and Evaluate Two Theories of the Formation of Relationships
    • 1009 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Describe and Evaluate Two Theories of the Formation of Relationships

    Walster et al (1966) carried out a study to test the Matching Hypothesis he did this by advertising a “computer dance” during College fresher’s week in the United States. The total number participants were 752, 376 males and 376 females. When signing up for the dance, the judges rated the participants on physical attractiveness, and asked to complete a questionnaire; the results were inserted into a computer database to pair the participants up for the dance. However, the real purpose of the questionnaire was to use later in the research to assess similarity. Instead, the participants were paired randomly; however, it was made sure that the men were all taller than their female dates. The participants completed a second questionnaire during the dance about their partners. The results found that the more attractive the date they were more likely to liked by their date than less attractive dates. This does not prove the Matching hypothesis as the experiment concluded that the physical attractiveness was the most important factor. However, the study lacks ecological validity because interaction was very brief between participants, hence any judgement was likely to have been of superficial characteristics. The short duration between meeting and rating their partner also reduced the chance of rejection. Finally, because only students were used as participants, the sample is not representative of the whole population.…

    • 1009 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Discuss the Relationship Between Sexual Selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour (24 Marks) Essay Example
    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Discuss the Relationship Between Sexual Selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour (24 Marks) Essay Example

    Evolutionary theory states that body symmetry and symmetrical faces are desired characteristics, Cartwright (2000) found that women who have symmetrical breasts are more fertile than those with asymmetrical breasts. This supports the idea that body symmetry indicates reproductive fitness which leads to evolved characteristics, and allows women to have high self-esteem. Furthermore, other than symmetrical body and face structures males use physical attractiveness to judge how fit a female is to reproduce. Men look of more attractive females however females look for men who can provide good state of wealth. This is due to men only looking for the characteristics of reproduction and successive care of children from females. Although men and women both look into different characteristic, females are choosier since they have a larger investment and therefore more to lose. However, the study cannot be supported since a disadvantage of this study is that female may alter the appearance in order to seem young and fertile, while men may also lie and exaggerate on the amount of…

    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Toulmin Analysis of "Attraction"
    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Toulmin Analysis of "Attraction"

    In "The Mystery of Attraction," Harville Hendrix claims that attraction between human beings is based on a number of factors that ultimately leave human beings baffled on exactly how humans experience such intense emotions as seen in romantic love and why so many couples tend to have complementary characteristics. He supports this claim by explaining several theories of attraction. His biological theory of courtship states that "we instinctively select mates who will enhance the survival of the species" (483). This theory suggests instinctive evolutionary attraction such as a female's rosy cheeks on a slender frame and a male's muscular physique are the features which take paramount importance in mate selection. Another theory, which he calls the exchange theory, emphasizes that "we select mates who are more or less our equals" (483). This theory proposes the act of mate selection as being a game of weighing the positive and negative characteristics in hopes of attaining equality in all aspects of both mates. His final idea, which is called the persona theory, "maintains that an important factor in mate selection is the way a potential suitor enhances our self esteem" (483-484). Attraction as it pertains to this theory places emphasis on what others think and the image of how others perceive someone with a certain mate.…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Review of Science of Sex Appeal Documentary
    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Review of Science of Sex Appeal Documentary

    Greeks used a formula that is often found in nature called the Golden Ratio, to…

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Reasoning And Analysis Paper Assignment
    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Reasoning And Analysis Paper Assignment

    3. Explain what the halo effect (or the reverse halo effect) is and how it affects perception. (Note: you may use the definition from your textbook for the halo effect; be sure to cite your text if you do—this applies whether to use a direct quotation or paraphrase what the text…

    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Voters Persuasion Analysis
    • 1197 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Voters Persuasion Analysis

    Although beauty often has no logical connection to the trustworthiness of a candidate’s campaign, attractive communicators are usually more likely to promote attitude change through the superficial route of persuasion. Generally, people like and trust physically attractive people, making them more likely to endorse the attitudes they communicate. This is especially true for people whom the candidate’s message is not important and who have little knowledge of the message’s domain. Furthermore, research has shown that people of cross-cultural differences are attracted to similar physical characteristics and features, which is an important factor to be aware of in America given the population’s wide range of diverse racial and ethnic groups. According to the work of Cunningham, Roberts, Barbee, Druen, Wu (1995), people tend to be specifically attracted to female features that are neonate, sexually mature, expressive, and well-groomed. The combination of neonate and sexually mature features suggest desirable qualities of youthfulness, vivaciousness, post-pubescent status, and competency while expressive and grooming features, such as smiling often and shiny, well-kept hair, suggest happiness and group membership status, respectively. Their studies show that Hispanics, Whites, Asians, and Blacks perceive these features, including lighter skin tones, as…

    • 1197 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Survival Of Fitttest In Charles Darwin's Origin Of The Species
    • 514 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Survival Of Fitttest In Charles Darwin's Origin Of The Species

    The term “survival of the fittest” was first used by Charles Darwin in his book Origin of the Species. Over the years, this term has been widely used, often with a misconception of the true meaning of it. It will be looked at what this misconception is and why people think this way. Survival of the fittest is thought to explain how natural selection occurs and this will be explained in the essay through Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.…

    • 514 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Attracts Us to One Another
    • 1266 Words
    • 6 Pages

    What Attracts Us to One Another

    What I believe attract us to one another is the physical appearance, what we see when we first meet a person, although there’s often more to that. The reason I say this is some people can meet someone who they physically like, but can be easily turned off by their personality or it can be the opposite where the person overlooks how less attractive the other person may be but their personality is what may have captured them. All other things being equal, we prefer highly attractive individuals as dates, as friends, and to interact with in a general situation. This so happens to be true in today’s society, women my age tend to want to hang around attractive or pretty girls oppose to someone who is less attractive. It makes them and their whole circle of friends look good. While individuals might desire a relationship with an attractive person, they might not desire a relationship with the not so attractive individual. For example, most people tend to date those who they feel they are more attractive too or have the same type of similarities and personalities from those who are less attractive but may not have the same similarities. I often wonder does it matter if the person you’re attractive to don’t share the same qualities. Even though opposites can attract whether their attractive or not?!…

    • 1266 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Physcology Paper
    • 1318 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Physcology Paper

    Next I turn to the biological perspective, this focuses on bodily events affect behavior feelings and thoughts. This to me brings to mind the age old quote “can’t live with them, and you can’t live without them” when referring to my grandparents. This especially in relationships I believe is very important, your biology I believe has a lot to do with whom you will be in relationships, not just looks but subconsciously according to a study done by the bbc “ Women still subconsciously choose their mates based largely on their biology” the same is still true about men whom our book states still base attraction off of age. Younger…

    • 1318 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Gilded Age
    • 2917 Words
    • 12 Pages

    The Gilded Age

    “Survival of the Fittest” Enforced idealism, loosely derived from Darwin’s theories Human society evolves through competition and natural selection…

    • 2917 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why We Form Relationships
    • 637 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why We Form Relationships

    There are many reasons as to why we form relationships with a person. Appearance is one of those reasons. Most people claim that a person’s personality is the main reason why we get into a relationship with them and not by the way they look which is really not true. There has to be some type of attraction towards their appearance because the way they look is extremely important in the early stages of a relationship. Even if your appearance isn’t considered beautiful by societal standards, people will find you attractive if you’re just ordinary-looking with an amazing personality that fits the other persons needs. Attractive beauty may open doors to a relationship but it takes way more than just being attractive to keep a relationship going.…

    • 637 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Natural and Sexual Selection.
    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Natural and Sexual Selection.

    One of the first and central mechanisms proposed by Darwin during his life was that of "natural selection." Some may refer to this as "survival of the fittest," whereby species that produce offspring have been successful in doing so because they have produced random individual features which have lead them to live longer and pro-create offspring with the same inheritable desired features. Not all individuals will be able to reproduce, therefore only the fittest will…"multiply, vary, let the strongest live and the weakest die," (Darwin, Charles (1968, 1859)) Origin of the Species.…

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beauty Lies in the Eye of the Beholder
    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beauty Lies in the Eye of the Beholder

    The primary reason for the study was to expand on prior studies of physical attractiveness which suggested that physical attractiveness should be connected with more positive outcomes in marriage. Apparently, many studies of physical attractiveness came about to support or over- throw two poets recognition on the period of physical attractiveness. Poet John Keats believes that the benefits of beauty are everlasting while poet G.B. Shaw believes that beauty is destined to fade over time. Different theories were also taken into consideration. Equity and similarity theories predict that attractiveness should be connected with greater levels of satisfaction and vice versa. Evolutionary perspectives and normative resource theories suggest that the gender of the more attractive partner should play an important role in determining the effects of different attractiveness. The author had cited clear review of literature and the problem was clearly visible to the average reader why the researchers felt this study needed to be done. With that said, this research tested hypothesis about whether physical attractiveness continues to influence relationships after marriage or fade with time and experience.…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics