Appearance of Discrimination in the Work Place
ENDICOTT COLLEGE
VAN LOAN SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
The Eye of the Beholder: Appearance Discrimination in the Workplace
Masters Thesis In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Organizational Management Program
by Nicholas C. Zakas
Heidi Tarr Henson, Ed.D, Research Advisor
May 11, 2005
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW............................................................. 4 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 4 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM................................................................................................... 8 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE .................................................................................................... 9 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................ 9 SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................... 11 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 11 STANDARDS OF BEAUTY ................................................................................................... 11 ECONOMIC BEAUTY ADVANTAGE.................................................................................. 13 JOB SELECTION..................................................................................................................... 18 OTHER BEAUTY ADVANTAGES........................................................................................ 20 UGLINESS PENALTY ............................................................................................................ 22
VAN LOAN SCHOOL OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
The Eye of the Beholder: Appearance Discrimination in the Workplace
Masters Thesis In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Organizational Management Program
by Nicholas C. Zakas
Heidi Tarr Henson, Ed.D, Research Advisor
May 11, 2005
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW............................................................. 4 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 4 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM................................................................................................... 8 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE .................................................................................................... 9 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................ 9 SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................... 11 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 11 STANDARDS OF BEAUTY ................................................................................................... 11 ECONOMIC BEAUTY ADVANTAGE.................................................................................. 13 JOB SELECTION..................................................................................................................... 18 OTHER BEAUTY ADVANTAGES........................................................................................ 20 UGLINESS PENALTY ............................................................................................................ 22
References: 78 U.S. Government (1990). Americans with Disabilities Act.