Final answer:
The research team used an indirect measure of attractiveness based on the duration Chris spent looking at Pat. This measure is a behavioral indicator possibly related to emotional attractiveness and interest, embedded within the context of social psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The measurement that the research team used to measure how attractive Chris thought Pat was can be classified as an indirect measure of attractiveness. This indirect measure is based on the time Chris spent looking at Pat, which is an observational indicator that researchers have assumed correlates with the level of attraction Chris feels towards Pat. Using time spent looking at a person as a measure of attraction falls into the category of behavioral indicators that can suggest interest or emotional attractiveness, but it must be recognized that such indicators are inferential rather than directly measuring personal subjective experience of attractiveness.
In the field of social psychology, a variety of factors are considered when exploring attraction, including physical attractiveness, emotional attractiveness, and social traits. While the study's methodology might aim to approximate a measure of physical attractiveness, it more broadly captures an aspect of emotional or behavioral reaction which is not exclusively about physical attractiveness but also includes components like interest, curiosity, or social engagement.
It's crucial to note that while such a measure provides useful data, its subjective nature and the influence of situational and individual variables mean that it should be interpreted with care. As outlined in the literature, physical and emotional components often intertwine in the perception of attractiveness, and measures like the one used in this study require validation to ensure they accurately reflect the constructs they intend to measure.