Emotional Reaction Theory of Attractiveness

Attractiveness is considered important in the formation of intimate relationships. Previous studies found that the characteristics of the partners and occasionally elicited emotions could influence ratings of attractiveness. The present theory emphasized that attractiveness may reflect feelings elicited by the partner. Several emotions were summarized and emotional reaction theory was proposed to explain how these emotions elicited by partners, including positive emotions and epistemic emotions, may be seen as cues of attractiveness. Furthermore, these emotions were differentiated according to reactions to differences between couples and different meanings to self-development. The implications for intimate relationships and dating were discussed and it’s suggested that early detection of emotions was as important as detection of attractiveness itself. Finally, future research prospects were discussed.