title: Positive illusions about one's partner's physical attractiveness.
abstract: This study examined couples' ratings of self and partner physical attractiveness. On the basis of the theory of positive illusions, it was expected that individuals would rate their partners as more attractive than their partners would rate themselves. Both members of 93 heterosexual couples, with a mean relationship length of about 14 years, provided ratings of both their own and their partner's physical attractiveness. Results support the theory that individuals hold positive illusions about their partner's physical attractiveness. Implications of these results in terms of relationship-enhancing biases are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Heymans Institute, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. dijkstrap@planet.nl
authors.forename: Pieternel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barelds-Dijkstra
authors.forename: Dick P H
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Barelds
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001290:Attitude; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007088:Illusions; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012928:Social Desirability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014796:Visual Perception