An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008. Psychology Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-46) There exists a large body of psychological research suggesting that attractive people tend to be judged and treated more favorably than unattractive people in a wide variety of so...

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Main Author: Vincent, Chrissy D. (Christa Dawn), 1983-
Other Authors: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Psychology
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/110955
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author Vincent, Chrissy D. (Christa Dawn), 1983-
author2 Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Psychology
author_facet Vincent, Chrissy D. (Christa Dawn), 1983-
author_sort Vincent, Chrissy D. (Christa Dawn), 1983-
collection Memorial University of Newfoundland: Digital Archives Initiative (DAI)
description Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008. Psychology Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-46) There exists a large body of psychological research suggesting that attractive people tend to be judged and treated more favorably than unattractive people in a wide variety of social settings. Much of the research on this attractiveness bias, however, has simply relied upon natural variation to separate target individuals into groups of differing attractiveness levels. The current study sought to employ the mere exposure effect to achieve an experimental manipulation of attractiveness, thereby separating attractiveness from any covariates that may have potentially confounded it in these prior studies. Participants were exposed to pictures of target individuals while engaged in a distracting task, and later rated those same targets on attractiveness, sociability, relationship happiness, and career success. The purpose of the experiment was to investigate whether exposure frequency influenced the latter three judgments, and whether that influence was mediated by perceived attractiveness. Unfortunately, mere exposure failed to affect attractiveness ratings, so the intended analysis could not be performed. Explanations for the lack of exposure effects based on both cognitive load and classical conditioning theories are discussed.
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op_rights The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
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spelling ftmemorialunivdc:oai:collections.mun.ca:theses4/110955 2025-01-16T23:26:19+00:00 An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias Vincent, Chrissy D. (Christa Dawn), 1983- Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Psychology 2008. vi, 48 leaves : ill. Image/jpeg; Application/pdf http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/110955 Eng eng Electronic Theses and Dissertations (5.10 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Vincent_ChrissyD.pdf a2700601 http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/110955 The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries Discrimination Interpersonal attraction Judgment Text 2008 ftmemorialunivdc 2015-08-06T19:22:15Z Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2008. Psychology Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-46) There exists a large body of psychological research suggesting that attractive people tend to be judged and treated more favorably than unattractive people in a wide variety of social settings. Much of the research on this attractiveness bias, however, has simply relied upon natural variation to separate target individuals into groups of differing attractiveness levels. The current study sought to employ the mere exposure effect to achieve an experimental manipulation of attractiveness, thereby separating attractiveness from any covariates that may have potentially confounded it in these prior studies. Participants were exposed to pictures of target individuals while engaged in a distracting task, and later rated those same targets on attractiveness, sociability, relationship happiness, and career success. The purpose of the experiment was to investigate whether exposure frequency influenced the latter three judgments, and whether that influence was mediated by perceived attractiveness. Unfortunately, mere exposure failed to affect attractiveness ratings, so the intended analysis could not be performed. Explanations for the lack of exposure effects based on both cognitive load and classical conditioning theories are discussed. Text Newfoundland studies University of Newfoundland Memorial University of Newfoundland: Digital Archives Initiative (DAI)
spellingShingle Discrimination
Interpersonal attraction
Judgment
Vincent, Chrissy D. (Christa Dawn), 1983-
An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias
title An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias
title_full An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias
title_fullStr An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias
title_full_unstemmed An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias
title_short An attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias
title_sort attempt to experimentally demonstrate the attractiveness bias
topic Discrimination
Interpersonal attraction
Judgment
topic_facet Discrimination
Interpersonal attraction
Judgment
url http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/theses4/id/110955