THE PERCEPTION OF THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY FRESHMEN OF THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

According to some dictionaries, love is defined as an intense feeling of deep affection,

but to some people, it is said to be something indescribable, or to put it in a simpler meaning, no

words can define love. Love refers to a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that

ranges from interpersonal affection  to pleasure. There are also a lot of factors or standards to be

considered in order to say “You are in love” and typically, one of those is the physical

appearance, looks or the outside beauty of a person.

An American author named Lemony Snicket once said that, “Appearance matters a great

deal because you can often tell a lot about people by looking at how they present themselves.” It

truly is a big deal for most of us. In everything we do, we consider someone’s physical

characteristics very important, especially when it comes to love. Physical appearance is not

really important in a simple relationship though in real life, it is understandable for people to

greatly consider the looks of a person. Height, body, face, hair and the like – they all can affect

someone’s impression towards other people. Love may be blind, but the eyes aren’t. A pretty

face doesn’t always mean a pretty heart. The point in this is that you’ll never be satisfied with

how you look and you don’t have to be. Each and every one of us is a perfectly worthy and

beautiful person. Love yourself for everything inside you, and you’ll be able to find someone

else who does as well, and that’s what we call true love or an intimate relationship. Our mind is

used in the manner that we get attracted to everything that looks good and is beautiful, whether it

is food, good clothes or anything that is presented in a beautiful manner. We tend to look

presentable for other people not because we want to show off, but we do this to fulfill our own

emotional needs.

We could simply say that physical appearance greatly affects people’s point of view

about falling in love. For teenagers, their perception about intimate love is not as mature as what

the adults must have to say about. Typically, teenagers say that the more beautiful a person’s

face or body is, the higher chance for them to be inlove. The fact is, it really isn’t true love, this

type of love is so called as infatuation which is commonly experienced by teenagers. They must

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not rely on what they see and think because they need to learn and consider that the greatest

factor of falling in love is not merely based upon the outside beauty, rather on the inside beauty

of a person. This is the reason why the researchers came up with this study. They would simply

like to know about the different perceptions of teenagers or college students on the significance

of the physical characteristics of a person involving in an intimate relationship. The researchers

were concerned on helping the teenagers in motivating them that there are many other factors to

consider on dealing with a serious relationship.

Background of the Study

Physical appearance is the outward looks of person. It includes hair color, eye color,

height, weight, and skin color or characteristics and other physical qualities that you could see in

a person. Everyone has their unique look although they might share some physical qualities with

another person. Physical appearance is affected by age, genetics, ethnic background and body

type. Sometimes a physical characteristic of a person is being critic or judge by someone

because society tends to presents or show to people what an ideal look a person should have. It is

because of that that it can’t be help that with different cultures there’s a different view on beauty

or the physical appearance itself. Since the beginning of time, there exists love, which has

different types and stages. However, in this study, intimate relationship is the main focus. So,

what is its difference to other forms of love? Intimate love is an interpersonal relationship that

involves physical or emotional intimacy. Physical intimacy in a way that there’s a passionate

attachment and sexual activity while in emotional intimacy is just an emotional attachment with

another person. In addition, intimacy also refers to the feeling of being in a close personal

association and belonging together. It is a familiar and very close affective connection with

another because of a bond that is formed through knowledge and experience of the other.

Teenagers are between the ages of 10-19 as stated by the WHO. Teenagers tend to think

that they understand a serious intimate relationship like the adults but in reality, they do not.

They always tend to confuse love and infatuation. Even their perception in getting a desired and

serious intimate relationship is to have a beautiful/handsome face and a great body so someone

would fall in love with them. Teenagers by nature are easily influence by the media such as

romantic movies, and drama where again most of the time you have to be beautiful or handsome

so that h person you love or like will reciprocate your feelings. They always think that beautiful

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physical appearance is the center of all great things and sometimes they don’t even notice that

they have something far greater to consider and to focus on. They must be taught to somehow

divert their basis that people having a good personality and a lot of those “sense of humor” may

be the one to love truly and intimately since they think physical appearance is what matter in this

world and time. So, is beauty really important in an intimate relationship?

Other societal problems such as early teenage pregnancy arise from their mistakes. Since

the teenagers tend to be sexually attracted to their opposite sex, some of them commonly

confuses themselves by following their “bugso ng damdamin” that was also a result caused by

the strong sexual attraction of the physical appearance of the opposite sex which led to this

problem about early teenage pregnancy. That is one of the reasons why the researchers led to this

study because they were also curious about the possible effect of physical appearance to a major

pressing problem of our country. This study is conducted by the researchers to let people know

especially teenagers to broaden their perception in intimate relationships. They should try to

experience and understand things that are better than the notion physical appearance is the only

thing that matters. They should not close their windows in seeing that there are a lot more to

consider in achieving an intimate relationship. As part of the population, the respondents that

researchers picked was the teenagers or the students from the BS Psychology Freshmen year of

PUP because they were the representatives of the youth that greatly experiences the major

development or maturation in their life not only physically but also the other aspects: mentally,

socially, spiritually, and emotionally. They were also picked to be the respondents since they

were usually in the confusion between classifying infatuations to intimate love.

Theoretical Framework

In some researches and studies, outward appearance of an individual has become a major

standard when it comes to a simple friendly relationship or in a more serious matter just like an

intimate love. Though these physical characteristics of an individual are mainly connected to the

sexual desires of another individual, it is also the main reason why a person needs to consider the

physical appearance in dealing with a serious relationship. Furthermore, there are these different

theories supporting this assumption that the outer beauty of a person is a major contributing

factor or basis in order for someone to be called as “in love.” Professionals don’t need to

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succumb to each new fad, yet they do need to think about physical appearance in relation to

theories of love and attraction.

One of the first theories of love was developed by Sigmund Freud. As Freud so

frequently attributed human nature to subconscious and unconscious desires, his theory of love

centered around the need for an "ego ideal.” His definition of an ego ideal is this: the image of

the person that one wants to become, which is patterned after those whom one holds with great

respect. In order to obtain the ideal mate, one must find a partner that can sustain his sexual

needs and attract the partner by his uniquely admirable outer beauty because the outer

appearance of the mate is a mere reflection of what he truly is inside of him. Hence, the physical

characteristics of the mate is just a mirror of his inner self and in order to satisfy the partner’s

need for ego-ideal, the mate should be physically and sexually attractive. (Masson, 1985)

Samuel Frenning (2004) stated in his attraction theory that the first aspect of forming a

social bond is attraction, and there are many different ways in which a person is attracted to those

people around them.  As Frenning continued his theory, he added that there are four different

types of attraction, starting with Interpersonal Attraction, relating to the force that draws people

together; Physical Attraction, the attraction to another person based on their looks; Social

Attraction is the attraction to another's personality; and lastly, Task Attraction, meaning you are

attracted to a person's abilities and dependability.  These four aspects are the basic ideas behind

how people come to meet. In addition, one of the main forces behind interpersonal attraction is

personal appearance or physical qualities. In the force of physical appearance, it plays a role in

that people tend to have a want to be surrounded by others who are physically attractive, which is

believed to come from the idea that attractive people are healthy and are more likely to have

healthy children, even if we don't take this into consideration, it is said that we do it with our

subconscious level.

American educational theorist Amber Hilton (2010) stated in his experiential learning

theory that when it comes to finding love, learning to distinguish between mere physical

attraction and a deeper emotional connection is an advanced relationship skill that many

individuals struggle for many years to develop, often both experiencing and inflicting a great

deal of heartache and pain in the process. In many ways, human beings are simply highly

evolved mammals, which mean that we have natural physical urges just like many other animal

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species. What sets us apart from other animals is our unique ability to form deep emotional

connections with other human beings, to make sacrifices for o ne another and to “fall in love,” as

the popular expression goes. Of course, physical attraction is an important element of any

romantic relationship, especially when you’re young, but a partner who is selfish and unkind or

who doesn’t share your values will eventually become ugly in your eyes, regardless of his

outward appearance. As older generations are most acutely aware, outward appearances fade

with time, and feelings of lust are replaced by aching bones and tired joints. Finding true love

has often been described as finding “someone you could imagine yourself growing old with.”

While this may be simplifying things a bit, it is a good measure for distinguishing between love

and lust. Over time, looks will fade, and if what remains isn’t the person that you want to wake

up next to each morning, then you haven’t found true love.

From Sternberg’s (2004) triangular theory of love, it is stated that there are 3 components

of love: an intimacy component, a passion component, and a decision/commitment component.

The passion component encompasses drives connected to both limerence and sexual attraction. It

mainly talks about the strong attraction of physical characteristics of a person for sexual need of

the mate. Passionate love is based on drive. Couples in passionate love feel physically attracted

to each other based on their appearance. Sexual desire is typically a component of passionate

love. Passionate love is not limited to sexual attraction, however. It is a way for couples to

express feelings of nurture, dominance, submission, self-actualization, etc. Passionate love is

considered the "hot" component of love because of the strong presence of arousal between two

people in order to produce an offspring having distinct qualities from couples combined

attractive appearances. Sternberg believed that passionate love will diminish as the positive force

of the relationship is taken over by opposite forces. This idea comes from Solomon's opponent-

force theory.

As a whole, the outward qualities of a person truly matters in love so that it satisfies the

sexual desires and needs of the partner, and the sexual attraction subconsciously becomes

dominant. More so, the outer beauty still can be a factor affecting the intimacy of a relationship

especially for teenagers because sometimes, they see the relationship as a serious type one

though it is not love, it’s actually infatuation. Through time, infatuation can develop but if the

commitment does not develop then, the intimacy of love will slowly disappear. The

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aforementioned theories have supported the researchers’ study for better understanding on the

significance of physical appearance of an individual in an intimate relationship or simply, in

love. Therefore, the perception of the selected respondents from the population may still vary

though they may be enlightened by the supporting theories given above and they may still

consider the physical characteristics of a person but in a lesser importance.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework discussed the flow of the study to be taken. The study used

the systems approach. The system of three (3) frames is composed of input which went through

the process or operation and emerged as the output.

Figure 1. Conceptual Paradigm for the perception of BS Psychology Freshmen on the

significance of physical appearance in an intimate relationships.

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INPUT Profile

Course, Year & Section

Age Gender Relationship Status

Ideal Characteristics

Preferences among the Ideal Characteristics

Relationships

PROCESS

Survey Questionnaires

Statistical Analysiso Frequency and

Percentage

Output

Physical appearance affects the respondents’ perception in having an intimate relationship

There are other factors that makes people fall in love not just only considering the looks.

Recommendations made that were based from the results of the study.

Feedback

The input contains the variables that are needed in this research which aim to know the

perception of the Selected B.S. Psychology Freshmen of the Polytechnic University of

Philippines on the significance of physical appearance in an intimate relationship. It includes the

profile of the respondents, ideal characteristics, their preference among the

ideal characteristics and relationships.

The second frame contains the methods and procedures to be used to analyze those

variables by making survey questionnaires, and the use of statistical tools.

The third frame is the output. It shows the conclusion or findings of this study. It shows

that physical appearance affects the respondents’ perception in having an intimate relationship.

Another is that there are other factors that makes people fall in love not just only considering the

looks of a person. Lastly, some recommendations were also made by the researchers that were

wholly based on the results of this study.

Statement of the Problem

The research study focuses mainly on the perception of BS Psychology Freshmen of the

Polytechnic University of the Philippines on the significance of physical appearance in an

intimate relationship. Moreover, any significant differences among the variables are also part of

the study.

Specifically, the study aimed to answer the following:

1.0 What is the profile of the BS Psychology Freshmen of PUP in terms of the following:

1.1 Course, Year & Section

1.2 Age

1.3 Gender

1.4 Civil Status

2.0 What are the Ideal Characteristics that BS Psychology Freshmen are fond of in a

relationship?

3.0 How BS Psychology Freshmen define an intimate relationship?

4.0 What are the BS Psychology Freshmen reasons in an intimate relationship?

5.0 What are the preferences in the importance of qualities in an intimate relationship to BS

Psychology Freshmen?

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Hypothesis

The physical characteristics of a person have no significance in an intimate relationship

based from the perception of the selected Bachelor of Science in Psychology Freshmen of the

Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Scope and Delimitations

The study focused only on the perception of the respondents on the significance and the

relationship between physical appearance and love, how looks can affect impressions as well as

affection. Only selected students from BS Psychology Freshmen of the Polytechnic University of

the Philippines school year 2013-2014 were involoved to answer to answer the survey questions

prepared by the researchers.

The study was not concerned to compare other factors such as personality traits, family,

socio-economic status and the like.

Significance of the Study

This study aims to contribute reliable and unbiased information to help the following

individuals and organization:

Department of Psychology. This study will be beneficial to gain more knowledge about

the relationship between physical appearance and love especially to the selected respondents

from the Bachelor of Science in Psychology. It will also help them to know the psychology

behind the perception of the selected students to answer certain questions in this study.

College of Social Sciences and Development. This will help other departments in social

science to improve their knowledge about the significance of the physical characteristics of a

person as a standard or a factor of being in love since the departments focus mainly on the

behavior of different kinds of people. They can also be of a great help to people so that they

could adjust to this kind of circumstances and develop their relationship with someone in order

to overcome of considering only the looks of a person.

Psychology Faculty Members. This research study will help professors to somehow

and somewhat understand their students. This can also help them to have a good and friendly

relationship with each other.

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Students. This study will help students to learn more about the possible positive and

negative effects of considering the outside beauty of a person greatly when dealing and being in

an intimate and serious relationship. This can also serve them as an awareness to maintain a good

and strong relationship in the future. Lastly, the recommendation of this study can also help them

in choosing the right person to be in loved.

Parents. They will benefit from this study as they become guided and aware about the

perception of their children on entering a serious and intimate relationship. From this study, they

could get advices which will be given to their children and recommend them that physical

appearance should not be the greatest basis of falling in love, yet they should consider also the

inner characteristics of their partner.

Researchers. This study will serve in great part for the completion of the researcher’s

course requirement. This has given them a lot of challenge in meeting new faces and

acquaintances and being awareof what’s happening in their environment regarding their study.

This developed their self-confidence and communication skills in interacting with others,

increased their vocabulary as well learn from their respondents and kept their determination to

finish what they have already started. This also led them to discover new knowledge and widen

their horizon. Lastly, this study also prepared them for their other researches and studies in the

near future.

Other Researchers. This will be an effective tool and reference for the researchers who

would intend to make any further relevant study particularly the standards underlying the

Bachelor of Science in Psychology Freshmen’s perception.

Definition of Terms

For better understanding and interpretation of this research study, the following terms are

operationally defined:

Affection. This term is used to describe warm friendly caring feelings between people. This term

can also be used to talk about a liking for something such as a place.

Age. It refers to the responedts’ span of life when the research was conducted.

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Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BS Psychology). It refers to the course offered by

universities, ensuring that students are welle educated in areas that are deemed necessary to

successfully become professionals in the field of Psychology.

Relationship Status. It is the condition wherein a person is classified as single or in a

relationship. It is also a description of an individual that serves as an indication of being

in an intimate relationship with somebody or not.

Course. This refers to the entire program of studies required to complete a university degree. It

is also the academic degree held by a student in a certain program of the university.

Freshmen. This term refers to the students in the first year level holding a certain degree

program in their collegiate years.

Gender. It refers to the classification of respondents according to their sex organs whether male

or female.

Ideal Characteristics. These are the desired attributes or physical qualities that a partner wants

to possess by his mate.

Impression. This refers to an idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone, especially

one formed without conscious thought or on the basis of little evidence.

Infatuation. This term is used to describe an intense but short-lasting and often unrealistic love

for somebody, usually of a romantic or sexual nature usually felt and experience by teenagers.

Intimate Relationship. It refers to an interpersonal relationship between two persons that have

the intense feeling of tender affection and compassion. It is also refers to a passionate and deeper

feeling or romantic desire and sexual attraction between them.

Limerence. An involuntary state of mind which results from a romantic attraction to another

person combined with an overwhelming, obsessive and need to have one’s feeling reciprocated.

Perception. This term refers to the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through

the senses. This also refers to the state of being or process of becoming aware of something

through the senses.

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Physical Appearance. It refers to the outward phenotype or look of human beings. The term

was used as the outward appearance, characteristics, beauty or the looks of a person.

Profile. In this study, it refers to the respondents’ classification as to course, age, gender, year

level and civil status.

Recommendation. It is refered to as a suggestion or proposal as to the best course of action

given by an authoritative body. This is also defined as the best way to give solutions to certain

problems of the respondents and the readers of this study.

Relationship. This is defined as an emotional and sexual association such as love, friendship and

the like between two people.

Year Level. It refers to an educational or academic stage where the respondents belong.

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Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This study examines the perception of the selected BS Psychology Freshmen of PUP on

the significance of physical appearance in an intimate relationship. This chapter is included to

provide insight, as evidence by a review of pertinent literature, into the relationship of physical

characteristics of an individual and love. The chapter opens with a description of the perception

of the respondents about the effect of physical appearance in having a serious relationship. The

examination then ensues on the relationship between sexual attraction, intimate love or

relationship. The chapter concludes with a synthesis that will help in motivating not only the

respondents but also to the readers that may view this study. As you read this paper,

corresponding researches and related literature are specified and stated clearly, which greatly

support the main purpose of the researchers’ study.

Foreign Literature

Intimate relationship is inclusive of both friendship and romantic relationships. Sternberg

(1986) provides a framework in his book about the triangular theory of liking and loving, to

distinguish the two forms of relationship. This theory talks about three components of a

relationship: Intimacy is a feeling that promotes closeness. Passion involves the sexual aspect

and related motivational needs. Lastly, commitment is the third component, and this consists of

two aspects: the decision that one loves a certain other (a short-term aspect) and the commitment

to maintain that love over time (a long-term aspect). These three components interact, such that

sizes of the vertices of a triangle vary in relation to one another. The concept of a triangle that

changes size and shape gives us an idea of having different types of relationships. For instance,

liking is different from romantic love because the dominant component in liking is intimacy,

whereas in romantic love, the dominant components are intimacy and passion. In fatuous love,

the dominant components are passion and commitment. Consummate love is a relationship

where the three components exist equally.

Interpersonal attraction is an individual’s desire to be with another (Franzoi, 1996).

Written in Franzoi’s news article that we tend to be attracted to several people in our lifetime.

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Factors that determine whom we get attracted are based on the characteristic and behavior of the

person. It include physical attractiveness (e.g., Dion, Berscheid and Walster 1972; Aronson et al.

1994; Franzoi 1996; Cowley 1996), perceived and/or actual similarities (e.g., Aronson et al.

1994; Berscheid and Hatfield 1974 cited in Coats and Feldman 1996; Franzoi 1996; Duck 1998),

and reciprocity (e.g., Aronson et al. 1994; Franzoi 1996). As we get attracted we engage that

person in communication thus we can say it plays a vital role on the formation of relationships. It

is believed to be the essence of intimate relationships

(Hinde, 1996).

Since romantic love could lead to a life-long commitment, it is vital to understand the

basis of selection of people for potential mates. Socio evolutionary theory asserts that human

beings’ innate evolutionary mechanisms guide the selection of potential mates (Wright 1995).

Romantic relationships are seen as having two primary adaptive functions: for sexual

reproduction and for bonding for the care of offspring (Ickes and Duck, 2000). Because of the

differences in reproductive resources, males and females have differential investment when they

get into a relationship. The difference in investment results to males and females having different

selection criteria for potential mates. Males tend to look for characteristics in females that signal

reproductive capability. “Attractive” women are those who possess characteristics that signal

youth and health. Females, on the other hand, look for men who are capable of sustaining and

supporting the offspring. The qualities females look for in a potential mate are related to a man’s

wealth or social status and security (Buss and Barnes 1986; Howard, Blumstein, and Schwartz

1987; Sprecher, Sullivan, and Hatfield 1994; Berry and Miller 2001).

From Kim Jinyoung’s (2004) journal entry about interpersonal attraction, he stated that

people would like to believe that beauty is only skin deep, and therefore, a trivial determinant of

liking. Indeed, when asked what some teenagers looked for in a potential date, most of them put

physical attractiveness at the bottom of their list. He cited through a study conducted by Hattfield

that she randomly matched incoming students at the University of Minnesota for a blind date.

The students previously had been given a battery of personality tests. Intelligence, masculinity,

femininity, dominance, submission, dependence, independence, sensitivity and sincerity had

little effect on liking. The one determinant of whether or not a couple liked each other and

actually repeated their date was their physical attractiveness.

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From an internet article, a great deal of evidence shows that, given a choice of more than

one potential partner, individuals will prefer the one who is more physically attractive. Physical

attractiveness is one aspect of sex appeal, in fact, young men or women typically rate physical

appearance as the most important factor. Intuitively, beautiful people have an easier time starting

a relationship. Being attractive, they would obviously tend to attract more people. Beauty is a

valued quality and hence can be used to get what one wants. Aside from formulaic comedies,

you almost never see beautiful people lamenting that they cannot find a date and that no one is

interested in them. Quite the opposite is true. So, if you want to increase your relationship

chances, then being beautiful is a good place to start. The basic idea seems to be that

relationships are essentially economic exchanges in which each person assesses his/her value and

compares that to what the other person offers in terms of a purchase price. Men tend to value

beauty more than women do. Hence, wealthy, powerful and famous men are willing to accept

attractive woman who are lacking in this traits. Women tend to value security (material and, or

emotional) more than men do, hence attractive women are more willing to accept men who will

provide such security-even if they are less attractive. (Michael LaBossiere, 2008.

http://aphilosopher.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/appearance-relationships/)

Local Literature

Physical appearance makes a great impact in establishing an impression. Same is true

when it comes to affection or love. Looks can be a great deal when looking for love or it can be

the other way around. According to the Bob Garon’s (1992) book entitled Love and Courtship, a

man or a woman who is in love becomes more aware of his or her appearance. When a person is

committed in a relationship, based on the book, he or she is more conscious on what look is more

appreciated by his or her partner.

According to Edilberto Alegre (2002)’s magazine article, love starts from “tuksuhan

lang”;  it is the usual term associated with pairing off potential couples in Filipino culture. This is

now more common to youth. The infatuation developed by them is when they become attracted

to the qualities and physical characteristics of each other. It is a major contributing factor for

both of them since they are not used to being in love and the “getting-to-know each other stage”

comes after when they are in their so-called boyfriend and girlfriend relationship. Alegre added

that being in love for teenagers and adolescents is not a very good sign of an intimate and serious

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relationship because they do not consider getting to know each other deeply from the time they

met each other. They only had a short time of knowing each other’s dislikes and likes,

personality as well as the attitudes exhibited to other people. Although infatuation is part of

growing up, teenagers should not literally abuse using this statement. They may at least take time

for the proper moment of finding the right person that will surely

complete his or her life.

However, when finding love, according to the book Is it hot in here or is it me? by Rj

Ledesma (2007), some of effective assets of women to gain a man’s attention are their body,

facial appearance and signals. For some flirt women, to make “papansin” is to hold their head up

high, sway their body, stuck in their “puson” (abdomen) and arch their back to push out their

chest. This can be applied both in getting a fine relationship or just a pleasure for one night.

According to him, a “beautiful smile” starts it all. It is also important to gaze upon a person’s

eyes and face because it catches attention and depending on the two person’s chemistry, it brings

good impressions up.

An online argument was made by an anonymous Filipino blogger on Mylot.com He said

that most of us nowadays consider physical appearance as the main ingredient to love or like

someone. He added that if physical appearance really matter then there is no such thing as "true

love" because according to the Bible, "love has no condition". If you like someone because of his

or her physical appearance then you already set a condition and that won't last long. He left a

question to anybody who would like to respond: How about you? Do you consider physical

appearance a big deal? For Jade Mackenzie (2011), she said that in her opinion, you cannot love

somebody without liking him/her so, appearance counts first and love follows and if he or she

didn't fit your standard or to your taste but still you love him/her then, that is love. Moreover,

beauty depends on the individual's perspective to beauty. A person might be not attractive to you

but is beautiful to others. She also quoted somebody said "When you're in love you tend to see

things differently from what they are". Therefore, appearance really matters in love. Tessa

Valdez (2011) said that physical appearance is usually the first thing that attracts us from a

person but that doesn't mean that we fall already in love just because of that. It is usually where

this starts until we get to know each other for a time and then that's the moment we can realize

that we are already in love. Of course, we want a partner who is attractive and at the same time,

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has the qualities that we want. Physical appearance is included most of the time to the qualities

that we want so she agreed that it does matter but it shouldn't be a big deal. A lot of people also

responded to this blog but most of them truly agreed that physical appearance is an ingredient to

love though it is not that very important in a relationship to last.

(http://www.mylot.com/post/2495648/does-physical-appearance-really-matter#)

Some known artists and celebrities support these details. When interviewed about his

“young love”, Freddie Aguilar told The Philippine Star that after seeing his 16 year old

girlfriend, he immediately fell in love because the Filipino Folk Singer thought the girl was

between 20 and 21 years old because of her built and she’s mature-looking. (Blanco, 2013) The

Philippine Star also interviewed another Filipino showbiz celebrity. As for the actor Rafael

Rosell, he suggested that an affair starts from physical attraction. Later on, the woman has to

engage a guy’s mind depending on what image she likes to build upon her partner’s eyes. This

only proves how physical appearance could alter one’s feelings for a person. (Donato, 2014)

Foreign Studies

A research conducted by Cameron, et. al (1977) in a study of personal adverts found that

women tended to promote themselves in terms of socially favoured personality and physical

characteristics, such as sense of humour, outgoing, slim, attractive and so on. On the other hand,

men tended to highlight their economic status, so will often use terms such as ‘professional’ or

‘homeowner’. This difference seems to suggest that women ‘think’ that men look for personal

attractiveness whilst men ‘think’ that women want security – the wording of the adverts

reflecting what each gender ‘thinks’ that the other is looking for – is supported by a range of

research. Because the ideal of attractiveness based on physical characteristics rather than

personality traits (such as kindness, intelligence, thoughtfulness, sense of humour) is continually

being promoted in western societies, you might assume that relationships in the west would be

based on physical characteristics. This assumption has been found to be true, but only up to a

point. Whether or not it is true might be to do with the reason for the relationship, short-term fun

or longer-term commitment.

Viren Swami and Adrian Furnham (2006) have undertaken a recent research which

examined the influence on attraction based on physical characteristics. Their research focused on

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the heterosexual male perspective. They pose the question of whether there are physical

characteristics that are found to be attractive across cultures. If so, do these characteristics signal

procreative potential as predicted by psychologists taking an evolutionary approach to explaining

behavior? Swami and Furnham conclude that there is research evidence to suggest that there are

characteristics that have been shown to be attractive across cultures. The physical characteristics

for females focus on body shape, especially the waist to hip measurement ratio (WHR). A WHR

measure of 0.8 means that a person's waist measurement is 80 per cent of their hip measurement.

However, body weight may be even more important than WHR in determining attractiveness.

Swami and Furnham report on research that shows some variation among cultures when they

looked at this measure. Generally, in economically developed societies men tend to prefer

women with a lighter build, while men in economically developing societies tend to prefer a

heavier build. These cultural differences are explained by evolutionary psychologists suggesting

that in societies where food supplies were poor or uncertain it was understandable that women

with a high body weight would be seen as better choice of partner. In economically developed

societies these more basic considerations which are focused on survival in difficult environments

are not relevant and other factors may come into play. The work of Swami and Furnham has

introduced some of the cultural variation in what people consider to be attractive for potential

intimate relationships. There are a range of other features that have been considered to influence

attractiveness. Whereas signs of healthiness are most important, once these have been

considered, signals of wealth or status may be taken into account.

A research study, commissioned by Medicis Aesthetics, polled over 1,000 men and

women as respondents to answer the survey about the study and to get a detailed view into the

role physical attraction plays in long-term relationships. They posed questions we tend to think

about, but rarely ask aloud like, "How satisfied are you with your partner's physical appearance?"

and "How satisfied do you think your partner is with yours?" Others focused on whether couples

would be happier if their partners paid more attention to their physical appearance, and if so,

which features mattered to them most? The results were very interesting. The study conducted

shows that men are more likely to place higher importance on physical attraction in their

relationship than women. When judging a woman's attractiveness, 62% of men say a woman's

face is very important, while 53% say the same for her body. But women are not that far behind.

When judging a man's attractiveness, 50% of the women say a man's face is important, while

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39% say the same for his body. And for both, their eyes, skin and lips seem to top the list. love

may be blind, but probably not much longer than the early stages of infatuation. No doubt,

couples need to work on their emotional connection, but paying attention to one's physical

appearance may ensure that a relationship not only gets off to a good start, but remains there.

Surely, it may be less politically correct to highlight the role of looks in relationships -- it's what

is inside that is supposed to count. Of course, we know that love matters the most. But it's time

we accept what many of us instinctively know, yet hate to admit; caring for and about, our looks

matters, too. (Diller, 2012)

According to the Renee Harris’ (2012) study, physical attraction does, in fact, matter to

both men and women.  Seventy-eight per cent believed it was very important.  The rest were

lying. But he reports that what is interesting and less obvious is that it matters more in the first

seven years of a relationship than in later years. It seems that as marriage progresses, physical

attraction may be increasingly influenced by other emotional factors — like good

communication and shared interests — which probably help sustain attraction even if looks

change. His survey shows that men are more likely than women to place higher importance on

physical attraction in their relationship. Fifty percent of women said that physical attraction was

important, while 123% of men said it was.  Women identified facial features as being more

important than body features, while men expressed a preference for women who had surgically

relocated their breasts to their heads. Men were more likely than women to be concerned about

their partner’s facial aging — especially during the first seven years of a relationship — but their

concerns diminished over time. Women’s concerns over their partner’s facial aging were fewer,

but remained consistent over a longer period of time. A high number of couples (92%) agreed

that their relationship was healthier when both partners felt confident about their appearance.

Over half of men and women indicated that they would like their partner to pay more attention to

their physical appearance. The rest indicated that they would like their partner to pay more

attention to  them.

Local Studies

According to Cherrie Joy F. Billedo (2003) study, the personality of a person attracts

someone however, the outward characteristics of an individual is mainly the reason why people

tend to fall in love. Females tend to emphasize characteristics related to intelligence and abilities

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(e.g., smart/intelligent, witty/funny, confident, good conversationalist). Males, on the other hand,

preferred characteristics related to being nurturing (e.g., sweet/“malambing”/caring, good

listener, mabait). These choices are consistent with the idea that online interaction is not deprived

of gender stereotypes. Those are the styles of a person to attracts someone. After being attracted

to each personality, they will have what in tagalog “palagayan ng loob”. And lastly, ending up in

romantic relationship.

Noela Entel (2009) had a research about the importance of physical appearance in a

relationship. Good looks represented an advantage in society since distant centuries, but

nowadays it has become a necessary given, a “must” to guarantee success on any level. The

study undertaken by her concluded that attractive people are more likely to succeed both in the

professional field, as well as in sentimental field, as they will be more courted and thus, will be

more likely to find a life partner suitable for their needs and interests. Thus, the importance of

good looks in a relationship is a critical issue in the formation of any couple; since at beginning,

physical attraction is paramount. Nevertheless, beauty and attractiveness are relative concepts,

each related to subjectivity or, like in the old saying, “each with his taste.” She added that it is

more likely for a person with a pleasant appearance to look for a partner with a similar level of

attractiveness, in order to avoid the possible frustration that tends to occur eventually if two

people are at opposite poles in terms of looks. Therefore, physical appearance in a relationship is

crucial, at least at the outset or in the moment of choosing and accommodating with the new

partner, but tends to decrease in intensity as the partners get to know each other better. When

those who compose a couple discover their common interests, passions, hobbies, ideas and

concepts, they tend to leave on a secondary place the physical attraction they feel for each other

and to focus their attention on other issues they find deeper and more meaningful. Although

apparently a couple has gone past the barrier of superficiality, appearance still remains

significant. A good example would be that a partner, losing himself in the comfort of his

relationship, could lose interest with his body, meaning that he no longer cares so much to look

good, which ultimately leads to the loss of interest of his partner. How the partner looks will

remain significant throughout the relationship, being a reason easily invoked when partners are

facing situations of this kind, namely condemning the other for superficiality and for not

knowing how to love someone for who she/he really is. Nonetheless, as we all probably already

know, that guilt is actually of the person who neglects herself, because, by neglecting her body

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on the exterior, she automatically neglects her feelings, desires, thus eroding the committed

relationship. The importance of physical appearance in a relationship is a detail that makes the

difference, because the beauty you radiate shows the love, respect, and trust that you have in

yourself. Moreover, these things are drawing the attention of your potential life partners, because

these three aspects are essential for the survival of a relationship. Probably, not many know how

to explain what they find attractive in a person, but subconsciously, we all know that in fact the

answer is simple: we look for a person who has a harmonious relationship first of all with

oneself, because only in this manner one can develop fruitful relationships with others. Another

reason is that around a certain age, 25 to 30 years old, when people look for a potential partner,

especially women pursue certain physical characteristics that can be transmitted to their future

children. Consequently, from any perspective you look at things, physical appearance is an

essential criterion in a relationship. Nevertheless, you should know that attractiveness does not

only depend on the traits that Mother Nature endowed you, but on how you know to enjoy your

looks, and also to accept what you consider to be flaws, when in fact they are features that will

give you uniqueness.

Jack Raz (2010) conducted an unpublished thesis about the effect of physical appearance

on the ability of a person to love romantically. In his study, romantic attraction is primarily

determined by physical attractiveness. In the early stages of dating, people are more attracted to

partners whom they consider physically attractive. It also added that men are more likely to value

physical attractiveness than are women. In his survey, most of the respondents, 59% of the them,

answered that it’s a bonus if a person is good-looking, but romantic love is so much more about

than looks hence, physical appearance has a little effect on a person’s ability of having an

intimate relationship. 31% said that physical appearance is most important in loving someone

seriously but if they have enough good qualities that attract them to, they could consider having

an intimate relationship, however, 8% of the respondents agreed that beauty is only skin deep

and it will never last and 3% answered that it’s a deal breaker. As a result, in his study, the

intimacy of love does not depend greatly on the physical appearance of an individual.

From John Earl Conese’s library research paper (2013), he concluded that physical

appearance greatly affects people’s point of view about falling in love. Sometimes people want

their partner in life to be a good-looking person so that their offspring will inherit the good looks

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or the good features of his partner. Conese believed that good looks are definitely likable but

liveable. Human mind is trained in a manner that we get attracted to everything that is beautiful

and looks good whether it is food that is presented in a beautiful manner or whether they are

good clothes. On the contrary, we should consider that the greatest factor in falling out of love is

not the outside beauty yet, it is the inside beauty of the person that must reign because the true

beauty comes from within and is skin deep. When it comes to laws of attraction, attractive

looking people do have a lot of advantage than their plain looking counterparts. Perhaps, this is

the real purpose of beauty; it acts like bait. When you see, a beautiful person there is a higher

chance that your head will turn back and have a second look. It’s normal for humans to value

beauty the same way that we appreciate the beauty of nature and creation. However, physical

looks are really superficial, it creates good first impression but there are really so many things to

discover in a person than his or her looks. One can look angelic on the outside but in the inside, a

monster could be hiding. Nevertheless, it is not always the case, there are people too that does

not look good and does not have good heart or a completely evil person. We cannot deny the fact

that beauty and appearance is important. Therefore, now it’s still important to focus on beauty

but also focus on other aspect of your personality. If you think you are not beautiful, don’t regret

that and you can help yourself by believing and feeling good about yourself. Many successful

people out there just have average look and even funny look but still make it to the top.

Therefore, chance is equal for both the beautiful and not so beautiful to find perfect love.

Refining it up, Conese generally explained that it will be unrealistic for people not considering

physical appearance when it comes to a serious relationship though it can still be changed once a

person experienced to be with another person and totally knew him inside and out. With that, the

physical characteristic of a person are not big hindrance in having an intimate relationship.

Synthesis

Truly, the outward appearance of an individual is considered as a factor or basis in an

intimate relationship. Most of the people fall in love easily with the guy/girl who is having good

physical appearance with a fair look. There is nothing wrong in it, but true and real love always

requires the trust and understanding. Love at first sight will be possible with this kind of physical

appearance as we can see the physique first and be attracted to it. No one have the ability to see

the inner beauty at the beginning. Physical appearance is one of the factors in love and it is not

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the qualification for falling in love with a person. Some people who have good physical

characteristics don't have good characters and behaviors and it is really hard to live our life with

this kind of persons. At first, we will get infatuation with the physical appearance; infatuation is

the beginning stage of love. If the person is good with noble characters as well as nice behavior,

there is nothing wrong in falling with love. Physical appearance is one of the factors in love and

it is not the qualification for falling in love with a person. Some persons who have good physical

appearance don't have good characters and behaviors and it is really hard to live our life with this

kind of persons. At first, we will get infatuation with the physical appearance; infatuation is the

beginning stage of love. If the person is good with noble characters as well as nice behavior,

there is nothing wrong in falling with love.

It’s not only we that should notice greatly the outward qualities of a person. Physical

appearance is also important to God in that it reveals the glory of His creative abilities.

Therefore, we should appreciate the beauty God has given us as His most complex and amazing

creation. God crafted each of us (Jeremiah 1:5) to look exactly as we do, for His own perfect

reasons. Despite our very best efforts, man will never be able to come close to the beauty and

majesty of God. Our very bodies were formed in His image. In ways we cannot understand, we

reflect His own beauty. No human painting, sculpture, photograph, or sketch can approach the

beauty of God. God places some value on appearances; if He did not, we would all look the

same. It is not a wrong thing for us to notice and appreciate physical appearance as well. But it

should be remembered that God judges our hearts, not our physical appearance.

Our outward appearance should not be our focus. If the reason we try to be the perfect

weight, wear the best clothes, have facial treatments, etc., is to impress other people, then our

physical appearance has become a matter of pride. We should be humbly aware of our

appearance rather than acting to conform to the world’s standards. Matthew 23:12 says, "For

whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

And James 4:6 says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter discussed the design and procedures undertaken during the conduct of the

study. It presented the research method used, respondents of the study, instruments used,

validation of instruments, data gathering procedures and statistical treatment of data. This

chapter also showed how the researchers’ data be collected, treated and organized as to how they

will come up with the utilization of the results of their survey questionnaires answered by the

selected respondents.

Research Method Used

This study made use of the descriptive research method which is designed for the

researchers to gather information about present existing conditions needed in the chosen field of

study. This method enables the researchers to interpret the theoretical meaning of the finding and

hypothesis development for further studies.

Descriptive research method describes the nature of activation as it exists at the time of

the study and to explore the causes of particulars phenomenon and involving collections

of data in oreder to test by hypothesis or to answer questions concerning the current

status of the study. (Estolas and Macaballug, 2002, p. 81)

Descriptive method encompasses all the data gathered useful in adjusting or meeting the

existing phenomenon. The survey study was employed to measure the existing event without

inquiring into why it exists. In this study, this method involved determined information about

variables rather than the individuals.

As used in this study, data are gathered and treated based on the respondents’ profile such

as age, gender, relationship status, and the respondents’ answers to the survey questions about

their own perception on the definition of love and relationships, and their ideal characteristics of

another person.

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Respondents of the Study

The researchers were able to gather information from the Bachelor of Science in

Psychology Freshmen of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines School Year 2013-2014.

From the population of 184 first year students in Psychology, 53 are male and 131 are female.

The researchers calculated the sample size using the Slovin’s formula, which was 100 BS

Psychology Freshmen of PUP, 50 female students and 50 male students. Since the study was

mainly about relationship and love, the researchers had decided to divide their respondents in

two categories based on their current relationship status with respect to their gender, 25 single

males, 25 in-a-relationship males, 25 single females, and 25 in-a-relationship females. They were

then asked to evaluate themselves on their perception of the significance of physical appearance

in an intimate relationship based on the survey questionnaires that the researchers were given to

them. The researchers randomly disseminated 100 copies of questionnaires that were all patiently

answered by the selected respondents.

Sampling Techinique

The data gathered from the respondents have been tabulated and interpreted. The

researchers used the marginal error of 7% as the basis and use the Slovin’s formula.

n = N

1+N(ℓ)2

Where:

n = number of samples

N = total population

ℓ = margin of error

The researchers applied the Slovin’s formula that gives the data needed in finding the

sample with a 7% margin of error. Based on the formula, the sample size was 100 BS

Psychology Freshmen students of PUP out of the total population of 184.

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Instruments Used

In this study, the instruments used were questionnaires, which were necessary for the

descriptive method. The contents of the questionnaires were completely created by the

researchers based on their knowledge, and self-evaluation since most of them had also

experienced being in a relationship, hence the questions made in the survey were deem to be

significant in this study. Moreover, the researchers have adopted John Earl Conese’s (2013)

library research that was conducted at Marikina Science High School entitled as “Physical

Appearance as Basis on Falling in Love” as foundation for developing their questionnaires.

However, by the help of their instructor, Mr. Rene Laurente Reyes, the questions in the survey

had greatly been improved. Different types of survey questions were involved in this study such

as multiple choice, ranking item, and forced choice rating scale questions. The researchers

grouped themselves into two to have the proper division of their part in the questionnaires. They

also designed the questionnaires in proper form to accommodate sufficient and relevant

information required from the respondents.

The questionnaire was divided into five (5) parts. The first part concentrated on the

profile of the respondents. The second part focused on ideal characteristics of a person. The third

part is engrossed with questions on what makes the respondents love another person. The fourth

part dealt with details about intimate relationships. The last or fifth part is about how respondents

evaluate the three qualities according to their importance in an intimate relationship.

Validation of the Instrument

Validity is the extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure and

performs as it is designed to perform. Therefore, it refers to the degree in which the test or other

measuring device is truly measuring what it intends to measure. For validating the instruments

used, the researchers used the external validity and content validity. Since the total population of

the BS Psychology Freshmen in PUP is only 184 students, then the selected respondents, which

is considered as the samples, surpasses the 50% of the population. As a result, the researchers

could generalize that the results of their study based from the respondents’ answer on the survey

questionnaires could be accurate enough to represent the total population. Steps taken by the

researchers under the content validity included the conduction of survey personally so that the

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researchers would see how the respondents evaluate and answer the survey questions honestly in

order to gather reliable information from them. Hence, the survey questionnaires accurately

assess and answer what the researchers desire to know and the researchers can easily evaluate

what the outcome of their study might become.

Reliability, on the other hand, can be thought of as consistency. It can be also described

when the instrument consistently measure what it is intended to measure. The researchers

decided to use the internal consistency reliability and the test-retest reliability. Essentially, the

researchers were comparing test questionnaire items that measure the same construct to

determine the tests internal consistency. Some of the questions in the survey were purposely

made very similar to another test question/s; hence, it might indicate that the two questions were

being used to gauge reliability or internal consistency. Using the test-retest reliability, the survey

or test questionnaires must be administered twice at two different points in time in order to assess

the consistency of this study across time. This reliability could assume that the outcomes of the

study will not change qualitatively through the course of time.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers had spent so much time in developing their survey questionnaires to

serve its intended respondents of the study. The data were gathered and collated by the

researchers in order to come up with reasonable questions significant to their research.

Furthermore, the data gathered were purely made by the researchers based from their self-

knowledge, results of their curiosity and observation and the experiences of some of the

researchers when it comes to relationship. Concerning data gathering procedure, their fellow

researchers were accommodating as they understand that through the questionnaire, respondents

will become aware on their perception of the significance of physical appearance in an intimate

relationship. With the help of the researchers’ instructor and classmates, they also gathered data

to come up with certain questions in their survey. The researchers handled personally the

collection of data by means of conducting a survey to the Psychology freshmen sections. No

other major conflicts were derived from collecting data for the researchers since answering a

survey questionnaire would last for about ten minutes only. However, the researchers took time

asking questions to their respondents whether they had undergone an intimate relationship or not.

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The results will be tallied, tabulated, and graphed according to the frequency of items

checked by the participants. After data tabulation, results will be computed, analyzed and

interpreted using various statistical tools. The results of the technique used in the data gathering

helped the research team to arrive at the interpretation of the study.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The data collected in this study were organized and classified based on the research

design and the problem formulated. The data were coded, tallied and tabulated to facilitate the

presentation and interpretation of results using the following:

1. Frequency and Percentage

The percentage and frequency distributions were used to classify the respondents

according to personal background variables such as age, gender, course and year. The frequency

also presented the actual response of the respondents to a specific question or item in the

questionnaire based on their preferences.

On the other hand, the percentage of the item is computed by dividing it with the sample

total number of respondents who participated in the survey. The formula used in the application

of this technique is:

% = (f/n) x 100

where:

% = percentage

F = frequency

N = number of cases or total sample

2. Ranking

This is a descriptive measure to describe numerical data in addition to percentage.

Ranking was used in the study for comparative purpose and for sharing the importance of the

items analyzed.

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Chapter IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the data gathered from the survey questionnaires given to the

respondents of the study to know the perception of the BS Psychology Freshmen of PUP School

Year 2013 – 2014. This chapter also presents the different analysis and interpretation that was

done by the researchers on their gathered data. All the gathered data of this research were

illustrated with the use of tables and graphs in order to precisely explain and interpret the results

or findings of the test questions. These tables and graphs show the accurate information about the

analysis and interpretation of the data.

Table 1

Standards of Being in Love

PA HP U P ES T

N = 186 F % F % F % F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen

39 20.97 47 25.27 58

31.1

8 6

3.2

3 4 2.15 32 17.20

Single Male 15 8.06 10 5.38 17 9.14 0 0 0 0 4 2.15

Single Female

6 3.23 12 6.45 11 5.91 5

2.6

9 2 1.08 12 6.45

Male in a Relationship

9 4.84 12 6.45 12 6.45 1

0.5

4 2 1.08 4 2.15

Female in a Relationship 9 4.84 13 6.99 18 9.68 0 0 0 0 12 6.45

Legend:

PA – Physical Appearance (including Fashion) P – Popularity

HP – Humor and Personality ES – Economic Status

U - Uniqueness T- Talent/s

Table 1 shows the frequency and percentage of the ideal characteristics or standards in a

relationship that BS Psychology Freshmen consider as an important characteristics that make

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them fall in love or be infatuated to another person. The uniqueness of a person was the most

ideal standard in falling in love based from the survey conducted.

0.00%

2.00%

4.00%

6.00%

8.00%

10.00%

12.00%

Physical Appearance Humor and Personality Uniqueness PopularityEconomic Status Talent

Figure 2. Standards of Being in Love

This graph also proves that it is clear to see that a total of 31.18% of the males

and females (single and in a relationship) answered that uniqueness has the highest proportion

followed by humor and personality with a percentage of 25.27%. After humor and personality

comes next is physical appearance (including fashion) with 20.97%, talent/s with 17.20% and

popularity with 3.23%. Last of all, the table shows that 2.15% of the respondents answered

economic status as the least. We can interpret by the table that more than half of the respondents

are not after physical appearance but more on what is in the inside and that the economic status

of a person is not that important. On the contrary, Berry and Miller stated that males tend to look

for characteristics in females that signal reproductive capability or signal youth and health. They

identify such women as “attractive”. Females, on the other hand, look for men who are capable

of sustaining and supporting the offspring. The qualities females look for in a potential mate are

related to a man’s wealth or social status and security. The interpreted data shows us that only

20.97% of the respondents answered that physical appearance is a reason for being in love but

according to berry and miller, males are after attractive women. The table also shows that only

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2.15% of the respondents answered economic status but according again to berry and miller, the

qualities females look for in a potential mate are related to a man’s wealth or social status and

security.

Table 2

Ideal Physical Characteristics of a Person

FC P FA C

N =100 F % F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 46 46 34 34 14 14 6 6

Single Male 15 15 7 7 2 2 1 1

Single Female 10 10 10 10 4 4 1 1

Male in a Relationship 11 11 6 6 5 5 3 3

Female in a Relationship 10 10 11 11 3 3 1 1

Legend:

FC – Face FA - Fashion

P – Physique C - Complexion

Single

Male

Single

Female

Male in

a Rela

tionship

Female

in a

Relationsh

ip0%2%4%6%8%

10%12%14%16%

Face Physique Fashion Complexion

Figure 3. Ideal Physical Characteristics of a Person

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Table 2 shows the frequency and percentage of the ideal physical characteristics that BS

Psychology Freshmen like. The facial appearance of a person was the most desired

characteristics of the respondents based from the survey conducted.

Figure 3 also presents the ideal characteristics of a person with 46% of the respondents

answered face, 34% answered physique, 14% answered fashion, and lastly, 6% is on the

complexion side. We can conclude that most teenagers perceive that the face of a person is the

most important physical characteristic than the other criteria. Hence, it means to say that the

complexion of a person is not that important at all as basis for a person to be in love..

Nevertheless, true beauty is regardless of the person’s complexion nor their fashion sense though

the physique could greatly qualify.

Table 3

Reasons of Loving a Person

A B C D

N =100 F % F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 22 22 25 25 43 43 2 2

Single Male 5 5 3 3 17 17 0 0

Single Female 5 5 5 5 9 9 0 0

Male in a Relationship 6 6 9 9 8 8 2 2

Female in a Relationship 6 6 8 8 9 9 0 0

without considering physical appearance

Legend:

A – I am comfortable with him or her anyway

B – I love his/her personality, not the looks

C – Physical Appearance is not important with me

D – I love how smart/talented/athletic he/she is

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Table 3 shows the frequency and percentage of the reasons why BS Psychology

Freshmen would still love a person even though someone does not meet their ideal physical

characteristics. Personality and being smart/talented and athletic, having both 25%, were the

most answered reasons by the respondents based on the conducted survey. It only goes to show

that physical appearance is not a great aspect in a relationship.

Single

Male

Single

Female

Male in

a Rela

tionship

Female

in a R

elationsh

ip0%2%4%6%8%

10%12%14%16%18%

A B C D

Figure 4. Reasons of Loving a Person

Table 3 shows the reasons of loving a person even if his/her standards have not been met.

In Figure 4, 43% said “Physical Appearance is not important with me”, 25% said “I love his/her

personality, not the looks”, 22% of the respondents or 22 respondents said “I am comfortable

with him or her anyway”, and 2% said, “I love how smart/talented/athletic he/she is”. Majority of

the respondents are not affected by the physical appearance of their partner. However, Tessa

Valdez (2011) said that physical appearance is usually the first thing that attracts us from a

person but that doesn't mean that we fall already in love just because of that. It is usually where

this starts until we get to know each other for a time and then that's the moment we can realize

that we are already in love. Of course, we want a partner who is attractive and at the same time,

has the qualities that we want. Physical appearance is included most of the time to the qualities

that we want so she agreed that it does matter but it shouldn't be a big deal. Many people also

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responded to this blog but most of them truly agreed that physical appearance is an ingredient to

love though it is not that very important in a relationship to last.

Table 4

Definitions of Intimate Relationship

A B C D E

N = 100 F % F % F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 26 26 67 67 2 2 0 0 5 5

Single Male 7 7 18 18 0 0 0 0 0 0

Single Female 6 6 14 14 1 1 0 0 4 4

Male in a Relationship 9 9 14 14 1 1 0 0 1 1

Female in a Relationship 4 4 21 21 0 0 0 0 0 0

Legend:

A – An interpersonal relationship that involves physical and emotional intimacy

B – A relationship here both of you love and accept one another

C – A sexual relationship.

D - A relationship is just for fun.

E – A relationship is just for the sake of companionship

Table 4 indicates the definition of an intimate relationship. Majority of the respondents

answered that an intimate relationship is a relationship where both of you love and accept one

another which represented the 67% of the total respondents. Nobody seemed to define an

intimate relationship as a relationship that is just for fun. Therefore, we could wrap up that

teenagers take intimate relationship seriously even if they were not yet well experienced dealing

with this type of relationship.

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Figure 5. Definitions of Intimate Relationship

The graph shows how the freshmen psychology students define intimate relationship. In

this figure, we could clearly see that with 100 respondents, 26% of them understood the true

meaning of an intimate relationship, which is an interpersonal relationship involving physical

and emotional intimacy according to Sternberg. However, for them, they tend to define honestly

that a relationship is about accepting and loving without any exceptions that’s why 67% of them

picked that option as their answer. 4 single females wanted to have a relationship to have a

company; they were likely to be with someone for them all time. They just want to be cared

about as for 1 male, who was currently in a relationship, said that he also agreed to the reason of

having only a companion in a relationship. Nevertheless, none of the respondents took the

answer of having a relationship for fun that’s why the researchers would strongly state that the

respondents, who were teenagers, were serious about being in a relationship.

Table 5

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Single

Male

Single

Female

Male in

a rela

tionship

Female

in a

relati

onship

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

A. An interpersonal relationship that involves physical and emo-tional intimacy- 26%

B. A relationship here both of you love and accept one another- 67%

C. A sexual relationship - 2%

D. A relationship is just for fun- 0%

E. A relationship is just for the sake of companionship - 5%

Reasons of Being in a Relationship

A B C D

N = 82 F % F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 65 79.27 3 3.66 6 7. 32 8 9.76

Single Male 14 17.07 0 0 2 2.44 5 6.10

Single Female 15 18.29 0 0 0 0 1 1.22

Male in a Relationship 16 19.51 1 1.22 4 4.88 2 2.44

Female in a Relationship 20 24.39 2 2.44 0 0 0 0

Legend:

A – I want to be loved by a special someone

B – I want to be in the trend of having a relationship

C – I don’t want the feeling of being alone

D – I miss having a relationship with someone

Table 5 shows the reasons why BS Psychology Freshmen would want to experience

being in a relationship. Being in love by a special someone and the dislike of being lonely is

what most BS Psychology Freshmen reason why they want to experience being in a relationship

based on the conducted survey. 79.27% of the respondents wanted to be in a relationship because

they wanted to be loved by a special someone and 3.66% want to be in a relationship just for the

sake of being only in the trend of having one, which was the lowest percentage among all the

choices. Teenagers engage in being in a relationship because they want to be loved. They want to

feel secured by their partner. This assertion could also be strengthened by looking at the figure

below (Figure 6). As we could see from the figure, it only goes to show that the percentage of

wanting to feel loved by someone is the main reason for the respondents to be in a relationship.

They just didn’t want to be in the trend neither feeling of being alone nor missing to have a

relationship. Hence, they strictly understood the intimacy of a relationship especially to them as

they become more mature about their outlooks and philosophies in life.

35 | P a g e

Single

Male

Single

Female

Male in

a rela

tionship

Female

in a

relati

onship

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

A. I want to be loved by a special someone- 79.27%B. I want to be intrendof hav-ing a relationship- 3.66%C. I don't want the feeling of being alone- 7.32%D. I miss having a relationship with someone- 9.76%

Figure 6. Reasons of Being in a Relationship

Table 6

Reasons of Not Having a Relationship

A B C D

N = 18 F % F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 8 44.44 4 22.22 1 5.56 5 27.78

Single Male 2 11.11 2 11.11 0 0 0 0

Single Female 3 16.67 1 5.56 1 5.56 4 22.22

Male in a Relationship 2 11.11 0 0 0 0 0 0

Female in a Relationship 1 5.56 1 5.56 0 0 1 5.56

Legend:

A – I want to focus on my studies first

B – It will take my time too much

C – My parents don’t want me to have boyfriend/girlfriend

D – I’m just afraid to love somebody

36 | P a g e

On the other hand, in the table above (Table 6), it pictured the frequency and percentage

of the reasons why BS Psychology Freshmen would not want to experience being in a

relationship or the reasons behind why teenagers wouldn’t want to be committed to somebody.

Being more focus on their studies and being afraid to love someone were the main reasons why

most BS Psychology Freshmen did not engage in a relationship with a percentage of roughly

44% and 28% respectively based on the conducted survey. Still, only about 6% or only 1 single

female respondent picked the reason of not having a relationship because of the strictness of her

parents.

Figure 7.

Reasons of Not Having a Relationship

Same as Table 6, Figure 7 presents the reasons of not having a relationship. It only would

like to point that majority of the 44.44% of the respondents said that they wanted to focus on

their studies, and 5.56% said that their parents don’t want them to be in a relationship. We can

conclude that teenagers who are single, are focusing on their studies. The highest peak in the

graph was from the single females side. 4 single female respondents decided not to have a

relationship because they lack experience of being in it since they might be thinking the

complicated life of being in love as a result, they had the tendency to become afraid to become

committed to somebody that they did not clearly know.

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Single Male Single Female

Male in a relationship

Female in a relationship

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

A. Studies- 44.44%

B. Time-consuming- 22.22%

C. Parents- 5.56%

D. Afraid to love - 27.78%

Table 7

Essential Qualities of a Person in a Relationship

PA P H

N = 100 F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 4 4 81 81 15 15

Single Male 0 0 22 22 3 3

Single Female 1 1 20 20 4 4

Male in a Relationship 2 2 17 17 6 6

Female in a Relationship 1 1 22 22 2 2

Legend:

PA – Physical Appearance

P – Personality

H – Humor

Table 7 shows the important qualities in a relationship. 81% of 100 respondents answered

that personality was the most important quality of a person. Teenagers are after one’s personality

compared to one’s physical appearance. On the other hand, According to Cherrie Joy F. Billedo

(2003), the personality of a person attracts someone however, the outward characteristics of an

individual is mainly the reason why people tend to fall in love. We could see that it was clearly

what she meant which was similar to the perspective of the respondents. She said that in her

study, males and females tend to emphasize characteristics related to personality and humor. In

this table, personality strongly dominated physical appearance and humor, though 15

respondents rooted for humor than personality. It simply showed that a person with great humor

could also make someone fall in love with him or her. Below, Figure 8 also would like to imply

how strongly the personality of a person is an essential standard for someone to have a

relationship. Neither of the two had reached or had been “in level” with the personality category.

38 | P a g e

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Physical Appearance Personality Humor

Figure 8. Essential Qualities of a Person in a Relationship

Table 8

Reasons of Choosing Physical Appearance (over the other qualities)

A B C

N = 4 F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 1 25 2 1 1 25

Single Male 0 0 0 0 0 0

Single Female 0 0 1 0 0 0

Male in a Relationship 1 25 1 25 0 0

Female in a Relationship 0 0 0 0 1 25

Legend:

A – I’d be proud to show him/her to my friends and family

B – People would be so jealous of my girlfriends/boyfriend

C- Both A and B

39 | P a g e

Table 8 indicated that 50% of the respondents answered that people would be so jealous

of their girlfriend/boyfriend, 25% said that they would be proud to show him/her to my friends

and family, and lastly, also 25% answered both. Majority wants to be envied by others because

they have a good-looking partner.

Single

Male

Single

Female

Male in

a Rela

tionship

Female

in a

Relationsh

ip0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

A B C

Figure 9. Reasons of Choosing Physical Appearance

Table 8 and Figure 9 manifested the reasons of choosing physical appearance over

personality and humor as stated above. Among the 4 respondents who picked this option, 2 of

them (50%), 1 single female and 1 male in a relationship, answered that the reason of having a

good-looking girlfriend/boyfriend was to make everybody be jealous of him/her because of

his/her good-looking partner. As referred to Noela Entel’s (2009) study, she had emphasized on

the importance of physical appearance. She said that it is more likely for a person with a pleasant

appearance to look for a partner with a similar level of attractiveness, in order to avoid the

possible frustration that tends to occur eventually if two people are at opposite poles in terms of

looks. Therefore, physical appearance in a relationship is crucial, at least at the outset or in the

moment of choosing and accommodating with the new partner, but tends to decrease in intensity

40 | P a g e

as the partners get to know each other better. So, it only means to say that a relationship that was

based mainly on physical appearance is not a healthy relationship thus, it is h=just infatuation or

lust or any other feeling to become superior to anybody. The other 50% was shared by the two

categories, one about being proud again of having a good-looking partner and the other 25% was

for choosing both answers as their reason of being in love with an attractive person or a person

who is physically attractive.

Table 9

Reasons of Choosing Personality (over the other qualities)

A B C

N = 81 F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 26 32.10 5 6.17 50 61.73

Single Male 7 8.64 1 1.23 14 17.28

Single Female 9 11.11 2 2.47 9 11.11

Male in a Relationship 6 7.41 2 2.47 9 11.11

Female in a Relationship 4 4.94 0 0 18 22.22

Legend:

A – It makes me feel comfortable

B – It’s very likable to him or her

C – Both A and B

In Table 9, it presented the reasons of choosing personality contrary to physical

appearance and humor. 32.10% or 26 out of 81 respondents said that it made them feel

comfortable to have a partner with pleasing personality. However, it is very likable to a person

to have an interesting personality, which only had while 6.17%. The biggest percentage went on

the reason about a person with an astounding personality made someone comfortable and liking

him/her very much. 50 out of the 81 respondents. Just like what John Earl Conese stated in his

library research that people should greatly consider personality than the other factors such as

physical appearance because physical appearance could be very deceiving hence, the essence of

love becomes lost. Inner beauty or the personality is the real thing in a relationship because it

41 | P a g e

could help your partner to make them feel comfortable with you and know how to care for

him/her the way he/she wanted to. That’s what makes someone very likeable: his/her personality.

So, we can conclude that the teenagers are after to being comfortable with their partners and the

reason behind why someone became in love with him/her because it’s what he possessed: his/her

pleasing personality

Male Si

ngle

Female

Single

Male in

a Rela

tionship

Female

in a

Relationsh

ip0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

A B C

Figure 10. Reasons of Choosing Personality

Just like Table 9, Figure 10 also shows clearly the percentage of the reasons why BS

Psychology Freshmen choose Personality over the other qualities that a person should have.

Being comfortable and likeable are the reasons why most BS Psychology Freshmen chose

personality based on the conducted survey. 81 out of 100 answered that personality is the most

important quality in a relationship, and the reasons why they chose this quality are: (1) it makes

them feel comfortable – 32.10%, (2) its very likable to him or her – 6.17% and, (3) both –

(61.73%).

Table 10

Reasons of Choosing Humor (over the other qualities)

42 | P a g e

A B C

N = 81 F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 2 13.33 5 33.33 8 53.33

Single Male 0 0 1 6.67 2 13.33

Single Female 0 0 3 20 1 6.67

Male in a Relationship 2 13.33 1 6.67 3 20

Female in a Relationship 0 0 0 0 2 13.33

Legend:

A – Every time he/she makes me laugh it completes my day

B – My problem would be so easy to face

C – Both A and B

In Table 10, it presented the reasons of choosing humor contrary to physical appearance

and personality. 13.33% or 2 out of 15 respondents said that it completes their day if the other

makes them laugh. However, some answers that problems become so easy to face, which only

had 6.67%. The biggest percentage went on the reason about a person who could make them

laugh and completes their day and also having their problems easy to face which is 53.33% and 8

out of the 15 respondents.

43 | P a g e

Figure 11. Reasons

of Choosing

Humor

Just like Table

10, Figure 11

shows the

percentage

of the reasons for

choosing

humor. The biggest percentage went on the reason that a person who could make them laugh and

completes their day and also having their problems seem so easy to face is 53.33% We can then

based that this data tells that a humorous person relieves negative emotions. According to Renee

Harris study that as marriage progresses, physical attraction may be increasingly influenced by

other emotional factors like good communication. In a way we can connect we the data gathered

that Humor makes a good communication tool to please another person.

Table 11

Reasons that an Appearance-based Relationship would last long

A B C

N = 31 F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 16 51.61 5 16.13 10 32.26

Single Male 4 12.90 0 0 4 12.90

Single Female 2 6.45 1 3.23 2 6.45

Male in a Relationship 6 19.35 2 6.45 1 3.23

Female in a Relationship 4 12.90 2 6.45 3 9.68

Legend:

A – Well, I’m sure that they will understand each other’s flaws and accept it.

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Single Male Single Female

Male in a relationship

Female in a relationship

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

A. Every time he/she makes me laugh, it complete my day- 13.33%B. My problem would be so easy to face- 33.33%C. Both A and B- 53.33%

B – If they’re happy with each other, then why wouldn’t they last together?

C- Both A and B

Table 11 indicated that 51.61% of the respondents answered that they will come to terms

with each other’s flaws and accept, 16.13% said that as long as their happy with each other

surely they will last longer while the remaining 32.26% answered both. Majority reason out that

they could come to terms to understand and accept each other for an appearance-based

relationship to last longer.

Figure 12. Reasons that an Appearance-based Relationship would last long

Just like table 11, figure 12 it shows the reasons why appearance-based relationship

would still last long. 51.61% of the respondents agrees and answered that they will come to

terms with each other’s flaws and accept it since an online blogger Tessa Valdez, physical

appearance is usually the first thing that attract us from a person but it does not mean that we fall

in love with just that. It usually starts when we get to know each other and unconsciously

realizing that we are already in love.

Table 12

Reasons that an Appearance-based Relationship would not last long

A B C

N = 69 F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 48 69.57 5 7.25 16 23.19

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0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

A.Well, I'm sure they will understand each other's flaws and accept it- 51.61%B. If they're happy with each other, then why would'nt they last to-gether- 16.13%C. Both A and B- 32.26%

Single Male 13 18.84 1 1.45 3 4.35

Single Female14 20.29 1 1.45 5 7.25

Male in a Relationship11 15.94 1 1.45 4 5.80

Female in a Relationship 10 14.49 2 2.90 4 5.80

Legend:

A – They only accept each other’s outer beauty, how about the inside beauty

B – That’s only possible in TV, Movies and Drama

C - Both A and B

Table 12 indicated that 69.57% of the respondents answered that people would not last

longer if their relationship is appearance-based they only accepted each other’s outer beauty and

not their inside qualities while 7.25% said that an appearance-based relationship lasting long in

TV, Movies and Drama , and lastly, 23.19% answered both. Majority reason out that they have

not come fully in terms of their inside qualities so how could it last longer.

Single

Male

Single

Female

Male in

a rela

tionship

Female

in a

relati

onship

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

A. They only accept each other's outer beauty, how about the inside beauty- 69.57%B. That's only possible in TV, movies and drama- 7.25%C. Both A and B- 23.19%

Figure 13. Reasons that an Appearance-based Relationship would not last long

46 | P a g e

Just like table 12, figure 13 shows the reasons why it an appearance-based relationship

would be unsuccessful. According to the data, common reason that respondents think is the

reason why they would not last long is because they have not completely understand each other.

According to Aronson et al, as we get attracted we engage that person in communication thus we

can say it plays a vital role on the formation of relationships. It is believed to be the essence of a

relationship.

Table 13

Preferred Ranking of the Three Qualities

1-2-3 1-3-2 2-1-3 2-3-1 3-1-2 3-2-1

N =100 F % F % F % F % F % F %

BS Psychology Freshmen 7 7 4 4 16 16 7 7 59 59 7 7

Single Male 2 2 2 2 5 5 3 3 13 13 0 0

Single Female 1 1 0 0 6 6 1 1 16 16 1 1

Male in a Relationship 3 3 1 1 3 3 2 2 12 12 4 4

Female in a Relationship 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 18 18 2 2

according to the most important to the least important standards in a relationship

Legend:

1-2-3 - Physical Appearance – Personality – Humor

1-3-2 - Physical Appearance – Humor – Personality

2-1-3 - Personality – Physical Appearance – Humor

2-3-1 - Humor – Physical Appearance – Personality

3-1-2 - Personality – Humor – Physical Appearance

3-2-1 - Humor – Personality – Physical Apperance

In table 13, it shows that 59% of the respondents rank personality as being the most

important quality and Physical Appearance as the least important, next 16 % of the respondents

rank it as Personality still being the most important quality yet Humor being the least important,

another is that 7% of the respondents rank Physical Appearance being the most important and

47 | P a g e

humor the least important, having the same percentage are Humor being the most important and

Personality the least important, and Humor as the most important Physical appearance being the

least important qualities. The lowest percentage which is only 4% considers that physical

appearance is the most important and personality just the least important. Majority of the

respondents think that in ideal relationship you should first consider the personality next the

humor and lastly the physical appearance to be happy.

Single

Male

Single

Female

Male in

a Rela

tionship

Female

in a

Relationsh

ip0%

4%

8%

12%

16%

20%

1-2-3 - 7% 1-3-2 - 4% 2-1-3 - 16%2-3-1 - 7% 3-1-2 - 59% 3-2-1 - 7%

Figure 13. Preferred Ranking of the Three Qualities

Figure 14, shares the same idea as of Table 13. It shows that 59% of the respondents rank

personality as being the most important quality and Physical Appearance as the least important,

next 16 % of the respondents rank it as Personality still being the most important quality yet

Humor being the least important, another is that 7% of the respondents rank Physical

Appearance being the most important and humor the least important, having the same percentage

are Humor being the most important and Personality the least important, and Humor as the most

important Physical appearance being the least important qualities. The lowest percentage which

is only 4% considers that physical appearance is the most important and personality just the least

important. The 59% of the respondents ranks is supported by ideas that the personality of a

person is important since it is a great factor in getting attracted to someone as the idea that

physical appearance is the least because it is only skin deep and as people age their looks

deteriorate.

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CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter summarizes the findings, generated conclusions and recommendations based

on the analysis of the results of the study on the Perception of BS Psychology Freshmen on the

Significance of Physical Appearance in an Intimate Relationship done by the researchers.

The respondents of the study were composed of 100 BS Psychology Freshmen which were

further narrowed down to Female Single, Male Single, Female in a Relationship and Male in a

Relationship where 96% have already experience a relationship and the remaining 4% being

single since the day they were born.

The study was conducted during the Second semester of the school year 2013-2014. The

descriptive method was applied by the researchers and designed questionnaires as their primary

instrument in gathering data. Preliminary research was also conducted to further increase their

understanding about the subject matter. To ensure impartiality on presentation, analysis and

interpretation of data, the researchers used statistical tools such as: Frequency and Percentage

Distribution.

Summary of Findings

The salient findings of the study are as follows:

1.0 What are the reasons for being in love of the BS Psychology Freshmen?

The results show that most respondents answered uniqueness with 31.18% of the votes, and

humor ranks second highest with the score of 25.27%, leaving physical appearance in the

third rank with the score of 20.97%.

49 | P a g e

2.0 What are the ideal physical characteristic of the BS Psychology Freshmen?

Most respondents (46%) prefer a person’s face as their ideal physical characteristic than a

person’s physique, style, and complexion.

3.0 What are the reasons for loving a person still even if standards have not been met?

43% said “Physical Appearance is not important with me”, 25% said “I love his/her

personality, not the looks”, 22% said “I am comfortable with him or her anyway”, and 2%

said, “I love how smart/talented/athletic he/she is”.

4.0 How BS Psychology Freshmen define an intimate relationship?

67% of the BS Psychology Freshmen define an intimate relationship as relationship where

both of you love and accept one another.

5.0 What are the BS Psychology Freshmen reasons in an intimate relationship?

79.27% of BS Psychology Freshmen just want to be loved by a special someone while

44.4% of them would rather focus on their studies.

6.0 What are the reasons of BS Psychology Freshmen of not having a relationship?

44.44% of the respondents, answered that the reason they don't want to be in a relationship is

that because they want to focus on studies first, while the other 27.78% said that their reason

is that they are just afraid to love somebody. 22.22% said that it will take too much of their

time, and 5.56% said that it’s because their parents don’t want them to enter a relationship

yet.

7.0 What are the important qualities in a relationship for BS Psychology Freshmen?

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50% of those who answered physical appearance as the most important quality in a

relationship said that the reason why they consider it the most important is because they

think that other people would be so jealous of their partners, other 25% said that they’d be

proud to show their partners to their friends and family, and the other 25% answered both.

8.0 What are the reasons for choosing Physical Appearance as the most important quality in a

relationship?

(50%) of those who answered physical appearance as the most important quality in a

relationship said that the reason why they consider it the most important is because they

think that other people would be so jealous of their partners, other 25% said that they’d be

proud to show their partners to their friends and family, and the other 25% answered both.

9.0 What are the reasons for choosing Personality as the most important quality in a

relationship?

81% selected Personality as the most important quality because it makes them feel

comfortable and likeable in a relationship. 15% selected Humor as the most important

quality because it completes their day and make the problems seem so easy to face. 4%

selected Humor as the most important quality because it would make other people feel

jealous of their girlfriend/boyfriend. Lastly, 59% of BS Psychology Freshmen rank

Personality as the most important quality next is Humor and Physical Appearance as the

least important in an intimate relationship.

10.0 What are the reasons for choosing Humor as the most important quality in a relationship?

13.33% said their reason is that every time their partner makes them laugh, it completes their

day, 33.33% said it was because their problem would be so easy to face when their partner is

humorous, and the remaining respondents 53.33% answered both.

51 | P a g e

11.0 What are the reasons of the BS Psychology Freshmen in saying that an appearance-based

relationship would last longer?

Half of the respondents (51.61%) answered that they are pretty sure that even though a

relationship is appearance-based, they will understand each other’s flaws and accept it, while

16.13% said that if they’re happy with each other, then, they would last, and 32.26%

answered both.

12.0 What are the reasons of the BS Psychology Freshmen in saying that an appearance-based

relationship would not last longer? 69.57% of the respondents believe that appearance-

based relationships would not last longer if they only accept each other’s outer beauty, they

should consider inner beauty, too. 7.25% said it’s only possible in TV, movies and dramas.

The remaining percentage answered both.

13.0 How does the BS Psychology Freshmen rank the three qualities (Physical appearance,

Personality, Humor) according to the most important to the least important standards in a

relationship?

In the table above, results show that in ranking the three (1 – physical appearance, 2 –

personality, 3 – humor), 7% of the respondents ranked it 123, and 4% ranked it 132, it means

11% voted physical appearance as the most important standard in a relationship. 16% ranked

it 213, while 7% of the respondents ranked it 231, which means that 23% of the respondents

consider personality as the most important standard in a relationship. 312 is ranked the most

number of times, it is ranked by 59% of the respondents and the remaining 7% ranked it 321,

it means that majority (66%) of the respondents considered humor as the most important

standard in a relationship.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, the researchers arrived at these conclusions:

1.0 Ideal Characteristics that BS Psychology Freshmen are fond of in a relationship.

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a. Majority of the BS Psychology Freshmen respond that their ideal characteristic is

being unique.

b. In terms of physical characteristics, majority chose facial features as what attract

them the most.

c. Majority of the respondents do not care about the physical appearance to fall in love

with somebody and reason out that personality is what matters most to them.

2.0 Definition of Intimate Relationship.

a. Majority of the BS Psychology Freshmen define an intimate relationship as

relationship where both of you love and accept one another.

3.0 Reasons of BS Psychology Freshmen in a relationship

a. Majority of the BS Psychology Freshmen just want to be love by a special someone.

b. Some BS Psychology Freshmen does not want to be in a relationship because it

would only hinder them in their studies.

4.0 Prefere qualities of BS Psychology Freshmen

a. Majority of the BS Psychology Freshmen select personality of the person as the

most important quality because it make them feel comfortable in a relationship and

makes it easy to love her/him.

b. Majority of the BS Psychology Freshmen that select humor as their most important

quality because humorous people makes their day complete and problems easy to

face.

c. Majority of the BS Psychology Freshmen that chose physical appearance as their

most important quality because other people would envy them for having an

attractive girlfriend/boyfriend.

d. When asked to rank the three qualities majority of the BS Psychology Freshmen

chose the sequence “3-1-2” which is interpreted as Personality being the most

important quality, Humor as the second most important quality and Physical

appearance as the least important quality in an intimate relationship.

53 | P a g e

Recommendations:

Based on the findings, the researchers support some tips on how to obtain a lasting

intimate relationship not only by looking at the physical appearance but also by other

characteristics.

1. Girls and boys should balance their standards in choosing a partner. Physical

appearance is a good feature but there are other characteristics that should be

checked. Personality, for example, is a must, as it shows how a person behaves and it

gives ideas of a person’s strengths and weaknesses.

But also, we must remember that accepting each other, no matter what flaws a partner

has, makes a relationship lasts

2. If a girl/boy wants to be engaged in an intimate relationship, she/he must be sure of

his/her true feelings and motives for his/her partner. It is not advisable to commit in a

relationship just to in trend. Definitely, the relationship would not remain. Taking

time in deciding is a need.

3. When a girl or a boy engages to a relationship, he/ she must sure that he/she could

handle his/her other activities and responsibilities. His/her partner should understand

their partner as well. Doing this will enhance time management and trust for each

other’s side and that makes an intimate relationship carry on.

4. Partners should be matured enough to have an intimate relationship. Because

immaturity often lacks the ability to see the true meaning of love. Love doesn’t see

the outer side (esp. physical appearance) of a person; the inner side is the most

important.

5. When having a relationship, being in love is not only the factor. In fact, some don’t

engage themselves in a relationship because they’re parents are strict. Parental advice

is also applicable when having relationships.

54 | P a g e

6. See your partner for who he or she really is. You have to view the person you are in

love based on who they really are. Not the fact that you want him or her to be, but the

way that you have loved in him or her.

7. Be willing to learn from each other. The key is to see the other as a mirror and learn

from the reflection how you can be a better person. Don’t blame each other every

time you feel upset. Learn to control your temper.

8. Let go of expectation. You may look to things such as romance and constant

togetherness to fill a void in yourself. This will immediately cause suffering. If you

unconsciously expect to receive love in certain ways to avoid giving that love to

yourself, you will put your sense of security in someone else. Draw upon your own

inner-resources to offer love, attention, and nurturance to yourself when you need it.

Then you can let love come to you instead of putting expectations on what it needs to

look like.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Berscheid, Ellen S. & Hatfield, Elaine C. 1974. Physical attractiveness. Advances in

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Masson (ed.) (1985), pp. 141, 144; Garcia, E. E. (1987). Freud's Seduction Theory. The

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(1993). The Seduction Theory. History of Psychiatry, iv: 23-59; McCullough, M.L.

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Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Berry, Diane S. & Miller, Katherine M. 2001. When Boy Meets Girl: Attractiveness and the

Five-factor Model in Opposite Sex Interactions. Journal of Research in Personality 35:

62-77.

Blanco, Eunice. (2013, October 18). “ Freddie Aguilar: It was love at first sight.” The Philippine

Star. p.4

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Personality and Social Psychology 50 (3): 559-570.

Coats, Erik J. & Robert S. Feldman, eds. 1996. Classic and Contemporary Readings

in Social Psychology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Dion, Karen K., Ellen S. Berscheid, and Elaine C. Walster. 1973. What is good is beautiful.

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Donato, Jerry. (2014, January 20). “New Beginning for Rafael.” The Philippine Star. p.10

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Frenning, Samuel. (2004). Forming Social Bonds: Attraction Theory. E-folio Magazine.

Hilton, Amber. (Feb. 2, 2010). Is it just a Physical Attraction or is there more. Spiritual Living

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Howard, Judith A., Phillip Blumstein and Pepper Schwartz. 1987. Social or evolutionary

theories? Some observations on preferences in human mate selection. Journal of

Personality and Social Psychology 53 (1): 194-200.

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Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons

Kim, Jinyoung. (2004). Interpersonal Attraction. Love and Relations. p.104

Lorenz, Kate. (2005). "Do Pretty People Earn More?" www.CNN.com.

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adjustment in middle-aged couples". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 34 (4):

537. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.34.4.537.

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Psychology Today 5(1): pp.47-50.

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relationship success. Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis. Imperial College, London,

England.

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Individual to Love. Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis. University of the Philippines,

Manila, Philippines

D. Electronic Sources

LaBossiere, Michael. (2008, May 12). Apperance and Relationship.

http://aphilosopher.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/appearance-relationships/

Muzik, Bruce. http://www.loveatfirstfight.com/relationship-advice/relationship-stages/)

http://www.mylot.com/post/2495648/does-physical-appearance-real

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/perception

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/impression

http://std.about.com/od/glossary/g/sesgloss.htm

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http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intimate

https://www.google.com.ph/#q=love+definition

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Polytechnic University of the PhilippinesSta. Mesa, Manila

College of Social Science and DevelopmentDepartment of Psychology

Good Day.

We, the undersigned are currently conducting a research entitled “The Perception of BS

Psychology Freshmen of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines on the Significance of

Physical Appearance in an Intimate Relationship” for the subject: Writing in the Discipline. We

would like to know how you perceive the importance of physical characteristics of a person in an

intimate relationship. We are requesting you to answer the following questions of the

aforementioned research. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Name: _______________________________________ Course/Year/Section: ___________Gender: ____ Age: _____ Relationship Single

Status: In a Relationship

Directions: Encircle the letter that best suits your answer.

1. Have you ever been in a relationship?

A. Yes B. No

2. What makes you like or love a person? (Encircle at most)

A. Physical Appearance (including Fashion) D. PopularityB. Humor E. Economic StatusC. Uniqueness F. Talent/s

3. What physical characteristics of a person do you like or love the most?

A. Face B. Physique C. Fashion D. Complexion

4. Would you still like or love a person if ever he/she does not meet your standards based on

his/her physical appearance?

A. Yes B. No

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4.1 If yes, why?

A. I am comfortable with him/her anyway.B. I love his/her personality, not the looks.C. Physical appearance is not important with me. It’s him/her totally.D. I love how smart/athletic /talented he/she is.

5. What is an intimate relationship for you?

A. An interpersonal relationship that involves physical and/or emotional intimacy.B. A relationship where both of you love and accept one another.C. A sexual relationship, nothing more.D. A relationship is just for fun, I guess?E. A relationship is just for the sake of companionship.

6. Have you ever been in an intimate relationship with someone?

A. Yes B. No

7. Do you still want to experience being in an intimate relationship with someone?

A. Yes B. No

7.1 If yes, why?

A. I want to be loved by a special someone.B. I want to be in the trend of having a relationship.C. I don’t want the feeling of being alone.D. I miss having a relationship with someone.

7.2 If no, why?

A. I want to focus on my studies first before my love life.B. It will take my time too much that I can’t do anything I want to do.C. My parents don’t want me to have a boyfriend/girlfriend.D. I’m just afraid to love somebody.

8. If you are currently in a relationship, do you still want to continue being in it?

A. Yes B. No C. I am currently single

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9. What do you think is more important in a relationship?

A. Physical Appearance B. Personality C. Humor

9.1 If Physical Appearance, why?

A. I’d be proud to show him/her to my friends and family.B. People would be so jealous of my girlfriend/boyfriend.C. Both A & B.

9.2 If Personality, why?

A. It makes me feel comfortable in a relationship.B. It’s very likeable to him/her.C. Both A & B

9.3 If Humor, why?

A. Every time he/she makes me laugh, it completes my day.B. My problems will be so easy to face when I am with him/her.C. Both A & B

10 Do you think a relationship that starts with liking someone’s looks would last longer?

A. Yes B. No

10.1 If yes, why?

A. Well, I’m sure that they will understand each other’s flaws and accept it.B. If they’re happy with each other, then why wouldn’t they last together?C. Both A & B.

10.2 If No, why

A. They only accepted each other’s outer beauty, how about the inside beauty: his/her attitudes, personality, humor, and the like?

B. That’s only possible in TV, Movies and drama, not in real life!C. Both A & B.

11 Based on your opinion, rank the three qualities on how you perceive these in a relationship.(1 being the most important and 3 being the least important)

Physical Appearance _______Personality _______Humor _______

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