The Attractiveness of Individuals and the Effect on Perception of Associated Personality Traits. Essay Example
The Attractiveness of Individuals and the Effect on Perception of Associated Personality Traits.
Curtin University of Technology
Abstract
Dion, Berscheid and Walster (1972) hypothesized that “what is beautiful is good” and that attractive people were assumed to lead happier lives and have better prospects for the future. A survey was carried out among university students and their friends to determine whether attractiveness of facial features of an individual influences one’s perceived associated personality traits. The 425 participants completed the FPS 120 Impression Formation Project survey and data was collected and analysed. It was discovered that a strong positive correlation existed between levels of attractiveness and sociability, friendliness and trustworthiness. This research study has attempted to apply Dion et al’s study of “what is beautiful is good” to the modern era and to determine if a halo effect for personality stereotyping is still applicable.
This research was conducted to ascertain whether the study by Dion, Berscheid and Walster (1972) was still valid in modern day society and whether the stigma of “what is beautiful is good” still holds true. Dion et al predicted that attractive people “were assumed to have better prospects for happy social and professional lives”.
Dion et al tested their hypotheses by asking men and women to examine three photographs and rate them along a number of dimensions. Half received photographs of women who varied in physical attractiveness and the remainder received pictures of men (Berkowitz, 1974) It was discovered that there was no discrimination between males and females to the participants, who still rated attractive people of both sexes to most likely possess all the personality traits that were socially desirable. It is apparent in their study that the thesis of beauty and its correlation to positive attributes is supported by a social stereotype. “Not only are physically attractive persons
Curtin University of Technology
Abstract
Dion, Berscheid and Walster (1972) hypothesized that “what is beautiful is good” and that attractive people were assumed to lead happier lives and have better prospects for the future. A survey was carried out among university students and their friends to determine whether attractiveness of facial features of an individual influences one’s perceived associated personality traits. The 425 participants completed the FPS 120 Impression Formation Project survey and data was collected and analysed. It was discovered that a strong positive correlation existed between levels of attractiveness and sociability, friendliness and trustworthiness. This research study has attempted to apply Dion et al’s study of “what is beautiful is good” to the modern era and to determine if a halo effect for personality stereotyping is still applicable.
This research was conducted to ascertain whether the study by Dion, Berscheid and Walster (1972) was still valid in modern day society and whether the stigma of “what is beautiful is good” still holds true. Dion et al predicted that attractive people “were assumed to have better prospects for happy social and professional lives”.
Dion et al tested their hypotheses by asking men and women to examine three photographs and rate them along a number of dimensions. Half received photographs of women who varied in physical attractiveness and the remainder received pictures of men (Berkowitz, 1974) It was discovered that there was no discrimination between males and females to the participants, who still rated attractive people of both sexes to most likely possess all the personality traits that were socially desirable. It is apparent in their study that the thesis of beauty and its correlation to positive attributes is supported by a social stereotype. “Not only are physically attractive persons