Several years ago Coleman (1981) reported that in 1979 one of the many in ternational cosmetics companies had an annual sales figure of $2. 38 billion, nearly 1. 25 million sales representatives, and over 700 products, the majority of these being for the face. Cash and Cash (1982) noted that in 1979 U. S. consumers spent over $4 million on cosmetic products. They stated that, "Although this practice would seem to be a fascinating aspect of human be havior on the basis of its generality and resilience, social-behavioral scientists have largely ignored the phenomenon so plainly (or pleasingly) in front of their eyes. " Why should people be so concerned with their facial appearance? Many psychologists have argued (e. g. , Kleck & Rubenstein, 1975) not only that facial information is usually the first that is available to the perceiver, but also that it is continuously available during social interaction. Maruyama and Miller (1981) stated that "appearance is often the first dimension upon which a stranger can be evaluated. Since people tend to see others as integrated and consistent units, rather than as collections of situation-specific behaviors, a potent and immediately evident basis for an evaluation, such as physical appearance, should intrude into and affect any overall and subsequent evalua tion.

Klappentext

This volume in the Springer Series in Social Psychology examines the role of facial appearance in social behavior focusing on types of behavior such as persuasion and criminality, as well as on such contexts of social interactions as school and the workplace. The authors also include a discussion of adults' reactions to infants' facial appearance and of the age at which children can discriminate facial attractiveness and demonstrate prejudiced behavior. The most recent research on facial disfigurement and the arguments revolving around the role that psychology can play in discouraging facial prejudice are treated at length. The Social Psychology of Facial Appearance collates for the first time, at an advanced level, psychologists' findings in the field over recent decades. TOC:Contents: Introduction.- The Role of Facial Appearance in Liking, Dating and Marriage.- The Effects of Facial Appearance in Persuasion, Politics, Employment, and Advertising.- Facial Appearance and the Criminal Justice System.- The Effects of Facial Appearance in the Educational System.- The Effects of Children's Facial Appearance on Adults and the Effects of Facial Appearance on Children.- The Social Psychology of Facial Disfigurement.- How can Psychologists Help Those Disadvantaged by Their Facial Appearance?- Some Final Remarks.- References.- Author Index.- Subject Index.

Inhalt

Contents: Introduction.- The Role of Facial Appearance in Liking, Dating and Marriage.- The Effects of Facial Appearance in Persuasion, Politics, Employment, and Advertising.- Facial Appearance and the Criminal Justice System.- The Effects of Facial Appearance in the Educational System.- The Effects of Children's Facial Appearance on Adults and the Effects of Facial Appearance on Children.- The Social Psychology of Facial Disfigurement.- How can Psychologists Help Those Disadvantaged by Their Facial Appearance?- Some Final Remarks.- References.- Author Index.- Subject Index.