John likes to go out to bars with his friend Clark, who is a muscular and very fit personal trainer; however, John feels like he is approached by more women when he goes out with his other, less muscled male friends. What process best explains the difference in John's attractiveness to women?

The women are gauging John's relative attractiveness to the friend (s) he is bringing with him to the bar. When he is going with the fit and muscular trainer, the women are more attracted to the trainer than him, and he fails to be approached. However, when he goes with friends who are not as buff, he tends to be seen in a more "normal" light and receives the due attention he is seeking.