In response to Griffin Thayer's question, "Is there a difference between attraction and beauty?"...
In short, yes there definitely is a distinction between attraction and beauty. Attraction essentially has to do with lust. Compiled from their genetic makeup and life experience, there are certain types of people some are attracted to, and others they are not. So, for instance, one of my friends is attracted to grungy, dirty-looking guys. Another friend is attracted to males who appear more androgynous. People have such varying views of what they consider attractive, for genetic makeup differs so much from person to person. Attraction also has a great deal to do with sexual preference. So, men may be attracted to certain parts of a woman or man that others may not find so appealing. People can also be attracted to someone, without actually "liking" them or wanting to spend time with them. Not all attraction is sexual though, for people are attracted to certain qualities in friends as well. So, there may be one person that you cannot stand, but yet there are many others who value them as a friend.
Beauty is entirely different. People can fall in love with beauty, and people tend to conceive beauty as being long-lasting. What is meant by this, is that a person might try so hard to make themselves young and attractive, but looks do fade over time. It is commonly thought that those who are truly beautiful have such a quality about them that they stay beautiful even as they age. Of course, the conception of beauty in society most definitely changes over time, for what one generation might consider beautiful, another generation might not. Conceptions of beauty vary cross-culturally as well.
So, beauty and attraction definitely are two completely different things, even though they may seem to slightly overlap. After all, people are attracted to beauty, but what is beautiful is not always attractive. Do you find people more attractive because of their looks or their personalities upon first impression? Most people make an initial impression of someone based on their looks. Do you agree or disagree with this? Why are looks, and not other qualities such as intelligence and compassion, most highly valued in our society?
Answering!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I have to admit that I do base a lot of my first impression on looks but I also take into account personality….good looks don’t make up for being a jerk, at least for me. I like to think that nice looks are just an added bonus. If all you have are looks then you don’t have anything at all.
ReplyDeleteAgain unfortunately, I have to agree with your statement that most people make an initial impression of someone based on their looks. Think about it how often to you see a really “attractive” person with a really not “attractive” person…umm, almost never. Honestly not only is it disappointing but it is sad that we don’t judge our first impressions and base our relationships off of different qualities other than looks.
I think a lot of it has to do with social pressures and pressures from the media. They are always portraying young, skinny, “good” looking people. And for those of us who may not be so good looking they have a solution, whether it’s a new cream, a new exercise, or a new procedure. There are always commercials on for acne creams or washes, like Proactive. Or a show about someone who finally got their happily ever after thanks to their Botox or liposuction procedure.
Question:
What is your first impression when you see a young female with an elderly man or the opposite, a young male with an elderly woman??....Thanks to the media and stereotypes I bet most people think the younger person in the relationship is in it for the money. Do you agree or disagree??