matching Hypothesis - page 2
Keywords: coursework-intro, methodology
By sabrina on 22/02/2008
Level: A Level (Year 13)
Page Number: 2 of 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
given to both partners of a couple. Furthermore, a high correlation was found with the more similar the attractiveness the happier the couple were rated in degrees of physical intimacy.
Murstein (1972) carried out a study to test the Matching Hypothesis. He did this by collecting pictures of engaged or couples who were in a long term relationship and asked his sample or participants to rate both members in the relationship according to physical attractiveness using a 5-point scale. The findings showed that both members in the couple were rated similarly, therefore proving the Matching Hypothesis correct. In my investigation to test the Matching Hypothesis, I will partially replicate this method of research.
The general aim of this investigation is to test matching hypothesis. My alternative hypothesis is:
“Members of couples in relationships tend to have similar rated levels of attractiveness.”
My null hypothesis is:
“Any similarity in the rated level of attractiveness between members of a couple is down to chance.”
The level of significance for this study is 0.5.
Methodology
Design
I will use a Correlation analysis to carry out this experiment. I have chosen this method because it will allow me to statistically analyse the results when collected. Therefore, I would be able to identify whether I have proved the matching hypothesis or my hypothesis for that matter. A correlation analysis involves measuring two variables, in this case it the two variables are physical attractiveness of males and females in the couples.
In an attempt to reduce confounding variables I will take individual pictures of couples, get them rated on a scale of one 1-10 then collate the results.
Participants
The sample I will use to help carry out this investigation are 16 to 19 year old students of Tower Hamlets College. I will randomly select 10 male and 10 female participants to do the rating. I will primarily use participants from the Bangladeshi origin as the majority of residents residing in Tower Hamlets or attending Tower Hamlets College come from the ethnic group. I will use only this group as previous studies have shown that people of the same culture identify with their own better. In addition, this will be a way of reducing confounding variables, as the samples are of similar backgrounds therefore the results obtained should be similar.
Materials
The materials I will use for this investigation are photographs of 10 couples, which will be separated by gender into two groups. The
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