What characteristic was found to be the sole predictor of whether participants liked their partners in Hatfield's "computer dance" study?

In Hatfield's "computer dance" study, the characteristic that was identified as the sole predictor of whether participants liked their partners was physical attractiveness. This finding underscores the significant role that initial physical appeal plays in forming interpersonal connections, particularly in contexts like dating where first impressions are often based on appearance.

The study involved participants who were randomly assigned to partners for a dance, allowing researchers to assess their interactions without prior knowledge of each other's personalities or backgrounds. The results revealed that participants typically rated their partners more favorably when those partners were deemed physically attractive, suggesting that attractiveness can significantly influence social attraction and affinity.

This emphasis on physical attractiveness aligns with evolutionary theories of mate selection, where physical traits may signal health, vitality, and reproductive fitness. Thus, in social psychology, understanding the impact of physical attractiveness is crucial as it sets the stage for various interactions and relationships, often leading to deeper social and emotional connections over time.