It has been reported that there are universal common ideals on views of beauty, which include averageness and symmetry. This can be explained based on
1) social contact
2) social comparison
3) priming
4) exposure effect
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is 4) exposure effect.
The exposure effect, also known as the mere exposure effect, refers to the psychological phenomenon where people tend to develop a preference for things they are frequently exposed to, even if they initially had no opinion or were indifferent to them. This effect can help explain why there are universal common ideals in beauty, such as symmetry and averageness, which are seen across various cultures.
When it comes to beauty, the idea of symmetry and averageness often aligns with what individuals are exposed to in their daily lives, such as in media, art, and social interactions. Over time, people become more accustomed to these features, and thus, they come to view them as more attractive. Symmetry, for example, is often associated with genetic fitness and health, and as a result, people are exposed to images of symmetrical faces and bodies in a variety of contexts. Because of repeated exposure, people may start to find these traits inherently appealing.
Averageness in facial features is also found to be more appealing in part because average features are less distinctive and may signal that the individual is more “typical” and thus familiar. This sense of familiarity can make a person appear more approachable and less risky in terms of social interactions.
The exposure effect suggests that beauty ideals are not necessarily intrinsic or inherent to individuals but are shaped by the cultural and social environments people are frequently exposed to. Over time, repeated exposure to certain features makes them more familiar, leading individuals to develop a preference for them. As a result, symmetry and averageness become widely regarded as beauty standards due to the psychological impact of exposure.