Attractiveness is the Most Desired Trait

Physical attractiveness appears to be the primary trait partners look for in each other. Above social status, personality and money attractiveness is the first thing people see about each other and the primary trait they choose. Even though attractiveness is the most important trait it doesn't mean that the majority of people will choose the most attractive trait.

A study conducted by Berscheid & Walster found that there were many factors when people choose each other based upon attractiveness. The study was conducted during a hypothetical dance and allowed partners to choose each other. Based upon who the partners choose to dance with they were able to draw lots of conclusions.

Even though physical attractiveness is the primary determinate in choosing a partner people hate to be rejected. Therefore people who rate themselves as average will not immediately ask out a more attractive person because they don't want to be rejected. The fear of rejection is a primary hurdle to relationships.

When asked, participants didn't rate attractiveness as their primary goal even though they were guilty of choosing the most attractive person they felt they could get away with. The study helps highlight the general misunderstanding most of us have about what we want in a relationship and what traits we look for in a partner.

Attractive people were often given a "halo" when compared to non-attractive people. This "halo effect" helps people to believe that attractive people were more successful, happier, made more money and achieved more than unattractive people. Therefore attractive people were seen as better partners.

The only negative affect attractive people were associated with was parenting. Attractive people were seen as less family orientated and more selfish. Because of this selfish attractive people were seen as having too much fun and making more self-seeking choices that aren't beneficial in child-rearing. Their vanity affects their children.

Even more important attractive people were considered a status symbol. The higher the beauty of the women, the higher the perceived status of the man. Women also received such benefits because people viewed women with an attractive mate as having excellent qualities. Therefore people desire attractive mates in order to increase their social status.

Attractiveness and the fear of rejecting might be the single most important factor in dating relationships. Who we choose, how we choose them and what type of relationship we have can be determined by the attractiveness of the partner. People desire attractive people in part because of their own vanity.