Several studies have confirmed what we already know; that physical attractiveness plays a significant role in initial attraction and relationship formation, as it often serves as a gatekeeper to pursuing potential partners. But research* also shows that while men generally tend to consciously prioritise looks more, both sexes value attractiveness similarly in dating.
However, over time, as partners get to know each other, positive personality traits like humour and kindness become more important, and the significance of physical appearance diminishes.
So, the upshot is, some form of moderate attractiveness is jointly necessary and sufficient** to elicit positive evaluations, but in the long game, for both sexes, other qualities are more valuable on the whole.
*Notably, Kniffin and Wilson, 2004; David Feingold, 1998; Fugère and colleagues, 2015; and Menelaos Apostolou, 2011,2015
** In case you’re not familiar with necessary and
sufficient conditions, it’s basically this: if X is a necessary condition for
Y, then Y cannot happen without X. If X is a sufficient condition for Y, then
whenever X happens, Y will definitely happen. So, X being both necessary and
sufficient for Y means that Y will happen if and only if X happens. So, for
example, having a ticket is a necessary condition to see a film at the cinema,
because you can't get in without one. It's also a sufficient condition, because
if you have a ticket, you're permitted entry. In the attractiveness case, then
- moderate attractiveness is necessary because it is required to get you a
date, where without meeting this minimum threshold, you are unlikely to be
considered as a potential partner. And it’s also sufficient, because if they
fancy you enough, it is enough to elicit positive interest, where further
increases in attractiveness aren't required to make someone more desirable.
