Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Physical attractiveness refers to the degree to which a person's physical features are considered aesthetically pleasing or beautiful.
Related terms
Facial Symmetry: This is the idea that our brains find faces with balanced proportions and features more attractive. It's like finding a perfectly symmetrical snowflake appealing.
Body Proportions: This refers to how different parts of an individual's body relate to each other in size. Just as you'd appreciate a well-proportioned piece of architecture, people tend to find certain body proportions more attractive than others.
This psychological bias suggests that if we find someone physically attractive, we're likely to assume they have other positive qualities too. It's like seeing a shiny apple and assuming it must taste good because it looks so appealing.