Much research into interpersonal attraction appears to suggest that a main contributing factor to whether we are attracted to someone or not is physical attractiveness; at least in the initial stages of relationship formation.

It has been argued that physical attributes effect interpersonal attraction through the development of a positive sterotype i.e.: The Halo Effect. This is where physical attractive people are seen as being for example, sexually warmer and more sociable, Feingold, 1992.

Research to support this concept has been carried out worldwide showing cultural significance within the term. For example, Wheeler and Kim, 1997 found that Korean, American and Canadian students who were perceived as being more attractive were rated as more sociable and friendly than non-attractive students.

The halo effect has even been suggested as being visible in crime convictions. Stewart 1980 found that lighter criminal sentences were given to those people who were perceived as being...