'What is beautiful is loved': Physical attractiveness in love relationships in a representative sample

From many theoretical standpoints (behaviorist cognitive, socio-biological, psychodynamic, socialization) it is predictable that Physical Attractivene ss of the Other person (PAO) is actually more important in the loving relat ionships than people usually believe. To verify the working hypotheses deri ved from this general one, a questionnaire was administered in individual i nterviews, to a representative sample (n=1949) of the Spanish population. D ata about perceived physical attractiveness by the interviewee in his/her p artner, and some variables relevant to loving relationships, were collected . Results indicate that PAO is the principal factor in sporadic relationshi ps, and influences the manner of falling in love. It is also important in s table relationships. In addition, PAO is linked both to feelings and though ts associated with love (intimacy, passion commitment, idealization) and to satisfaction with the relationship.