Matching hypothesis

The matching hypothesis states that individuals that enter into social relationships pay attention to the fact that the attraction of the partner is comparable ( by appearance, status, wealth, etc.) with their own. The two persons as have a certain similarity with the comparison criteria vary and the respective dimensions can compensate for each other ( eg lack of beauty in exchange for money ).

Experimental confirmation

Experimentally, the matching hypothesis pioneered by Walster and Walster (1969 ) was confirmed. They conducted a study at the University of Minnesota with 347 students who had volunteered for the "Computer Matching Dance " test. In this test, it was about having a computer program to which selected according to the wishes of the subjects matching opposite-sex partners.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis that had to check it was that subjects choose their partners more frequently after matching principle when they are afraid of rejection, and less or not at all, if the probability of rejection is minimized. So varied Walster and Walster two experimental conditions between the participants.

Conditions

One condition raised the probability and the negative consequences of the rejection of the subjects produced (High Probabilitiv of Rejection = Hight POR). Students were informed that after the computer had assigned them a partner, there would be a short meet and greet. After this first meeting, selected by the computer partner would have the ability to reject a further appointment. This option, as taught to the students, had been taken to date from about half to complete.

Two condition minimized the probability of rejection (Low POR ) by the subjects was informed that, although according to the first meeting with the assigned person could change your mind, but the other person himself would have no way to reject another meeting.

Method

The participants were initially evaluated by staff in terms of their attractiveness ( Index for Level of popularity). Then the subjects were given a questionnaire in which they had to assess themselves using special items on their perceived popularity. In addition, the students what type of partner ( popularity, level of physical attractiveness) were required to state they preferred.

Result

The more physically attractive were the students, the more they wanted a popular partner, regardless of whether the probability of rejection was minimized or increased. In both conditions almost all subjects used in the matching principle. Thus, the varied rejection probability has no influence on the choice of the partner.

Later the matching hypothesis in further experiments ( Berscheid and Dion, 1969 and Mustein 1971) was also confirmed. Berscheid and Dion tested the subjects under an idealistic and realistic choice condition. Here, too, it was found that the variation of the selection condition does not significantly affect the hypothesis and matching both subjects vorgingen groups according to the matching principle.